When IT managers are short on staff, budget, and time—they need to focus their efforts on the work that matters most. That’s the message from Richard Koch, the London-based author of “The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Success by Achieving More With Less.” Koch’s view provides a framework for managers and challenges them to view their responsibilities and work with a new outlook.
The 80/20 principle presumes, “a small minority of forces—roughly 20 percent or less…account for 80 percent of what happens,” said Koch.
Koch cites the Internet as an example of this theory.
“The top five percent of Web sites, some 6,000 sites,” he said, “receive 75 percent of all visits.”
Koch believes that IT managers can leverage this principle to their advantage. He recalls how IBM gained its superior reputation in IT in the early 1960s when IT professionals at IBM found that 80 percent of a computer's time is spent executing less than 20 percent of the operating code.
“IBM immediately rewrote its operating software to make the most-used 20 percent very accessible and user friendly. As a result, IBM gained a reputation of making faster and more efficient machines than its competitors, even though this was only true for a minority of functions—the ones that mattered,” said Koch.
He offers the following three ways to apply the principle to an IT project.
Simplify the objective
“It's a safe bet that 80 percent of the value of any project will come from 20 percent or fewer of its activities,” said Koch. “Lesson [one]—a project is not a project. It's always several projects. So before you start, simplify the task. Strip it down to one simple aim. Jettison the baggage.”
Impose a severe schedule
Koch recommends imposing tight deadlines. He believes that severe time constraints will force workers to function more efficiently.
“Only then [when you impose an impossible time scale] will the team identify and do the 20 percent that gives 80 percent or more of the value,” he said.
Design before you implement
“Another useful 80/20 hypothesis is that 20 percent of the problems with any project cause 80 percent of the cost or time overruns,” said Koch. “These usually arise in the design phase. So careful attention to design before doing anything is well worth it.”
Three tactical techniques to try
In the article, “Cutting IT Budgets: Tactics and a Survival Guide,” Gartner analysts Kurt Potter and John Roberts outlined practical techniques for IT managers who are looking for immediate cost savings. Here are three tactical tips they described that are helpful for reducing the cost of a project.
Renegotiate vendor contracts
“Vendors are often creative at avoiding price concessions during times of economic growth, but when times are bad for all, these same vendors are more willing to reduce prices by 10 percent rather than losing 100 percent of the business,” according to the Gartner report.
Taking this advice might not be as complicated as you might imagine. In the TechRepublic article, “An IT manager speaks out: 'The most difficult budget challenge I’ve ever faced',” IT manager Angel Martinez described how he successfully renegotiated with vendors and saved roughly $50,000.
Check your accounting methods
Potter and Roberts advise IT departments to adopt more accurate accounting methods. They wrote:
“Push costs to the business units that they can easily absorb and that seem insignificant to them but which are direct expenses they can identify. Although this practice will not optimize costs, the costs will now rest with their owners. Examples include paper, disks, and reports.”
To learn more about this method, read the TechRepublic article, “Are you charging your cost centers properly?”
Defer new projects
Consider a proactive approach to budgeting by canceling or delaying projects. Potter and Roberts recognized the implications of this decision when they wrote:
“More difficult judgments are required where projects are partially completed, especially if infrastructure upgrades are required. Evaluate cancellation and completion to minimum functionality.”
Get creative
There’s not one solution that would work for every department. IT managers need to rely on their own creativity to develop a plan to reduce costs during financially challenging times.
“IT managers must realize that productivity gains can be achieved from many sources—not necessarily from technological innovations or project-specific changes alone,” said Cynthia More, an independent business consultant based in Akron, OH. “They must train themselves to look beyond the obvious, to see the big picture, to think out of the box. That’s the only way they’re going to get through these lean times.”
Source: http://techrepublic.com.com/5173-6315-0.html
Monday, February 28, 2005
Three tips following the 80/20 principle
Thursday, February 24, 2005
How do you pronounce IT?
The following pronunciations are based on an approximation of U.S.
English. An understanding of U.S. English may be needed to understand
how to interpret a particular pronunciation rendering. If you know of
a term in information technology that people often stumble over or
mispronounce, please send us an e-mail and let us know!
Note: In writing, many style editors prefer that the spelled-out
version of a term should be used in the first written occurrence of a
term in an article (for example, "wireless local area network (WLAN)"
instead of just "WLAN" or even "wireless LAN"). Thereafter, the
abbreviated form can be used.
In pronouncing an abbreviation or reading it aloud, the pronouncer may
want to convert the abbreviation into the long form for the
understanding of a listener (for example, reading "wireless LAN" for
"WLAN").
TERM PRONUNCIATION
802.11 eight-oh-two-dot-eleven
ABAP ah-bop
ACL aye-cee-el or aye-kull
APAR AY-pahr
ASCII ASK-ee
BAPI BAH- pee
Beowulf bay-ah-woolf
cache cash
canonicalization KA-nahn-nihk-uhl-ih-ZAY-shun
CICS kicks or cee-eye-cee-ess
CLEC cleck or cee-leck
COMMAREA COM -area
daemon DEE-mon or DAY-mon
data DAY-tuh
DOS doss
EBCDIC EHB-suh-dik
FAQ fack or eff-ay-q
Freethem.K free-thum-KAY (do not pronounce the dot)
FUD fud
gibibyte GIH-bee-bite
GIF giff (with a hard "g" as in goat) or jiff
(as in the peanut butter)
GNOME GUH-nome or nome (rhymes with home)
grok grahk
GUI GOO-ee
GNU GUH-new or new
heterogeneous het-ter-o-GENE-ee-us
HIPAA HIP-puh
IDS eye-dee-ess
IPsec EYE-pee-sec
iSCSI EYE-scuzzy
IT EYE-TEE
J2EE jay-TWO-ee-ee
keitai k-tie
Kerberos KERR-berr-ross
KLOC KAY-lock
LAN lan (rhymes with man)
LPAR EL-par
LEC lehk
Linux LIH-nux
LOB ell-oh-bee
LU-LU loo-loo
mebibyte MEH-bee-byte
MIPS mihps
mySQL my-ess-q-el
NetBEUI NET-boo-ee
OLE (in Windows) OH-EHL-EE
OS X OH-ESS-ten
parity PAIR-i-tee
PC-cillin PEE-CEE SIHL-uhn (rhymes with penicillin)
PEBCAK PEEB-kak
POSIX PAH-zihcks
PostgreSQL post-gree-es-q-el
QAM kew-ay-ehm
queue Q
QWERTY KWEHR-tee
RACF rack-EFF
Rijndael RAIN-dahl
router rowt-ter (US) or root-ter (UK)
SAML sah-muhl
SAP ess-ay-pee
SAPScript sap-script
schema SKI-muh
SFA ess-eff-ay
Siebel SEE bull
Sophos SO-fohs
SQL ess-q-el or SEE-kwehl (both are used)
SuSE su-zee
sysop SISS-op
UDDI U-die or ewe-dee-dee-eye
URL yew-are-el
VAR vahr
vi vee-aye
VoIP vee-oh-eye-pee
WAN wan (rhymes with man)
wav file WAVE-file
WebDAV WEB-daav
Wi-Fi WY-FY (rhymes with sky)
Windows Me WIHN-dohs EHM-EE
WLAN double-you-lan
WSCI wiz-key
WSDL wiz-dull
WYSIWYG WIZ-ee-wig
Xanadu ZAN-ah-doo
Source: SearchTechTarget.com,
Canada won't join missile defence plan
Last Updated Thu, 24 Feb 2005 21:32:18 EST
CBC News
OTTAWA - Canada has said no to the U.S. missile defence program, Prime Minister Paul Martin announced Thursday.
The prime minister said the decision was made following extensive discussions with Foreign Affairs and National Defence.
"Let me be clear: we respect the right of the United States to defend itself and its people," said Martin.
Canada will continue to work with the U.S. for the common defence of North America, but our efforts won't be concentrated on missile defence, the prime minister said.
"Canada remains steadfast in its support of Norad," said Martin.
The nearly $13 billion allocated for the military in Wednesday's budget proves Canada is committed to taking its share of responsibility for national and international security, he said.
The outgoing U.S. ambassador to Canada reacted swiftly, saying the decision to defend North America now rests with Washington.
"We simply cannot understand why Canada would in effect give up its sovereignty – its seat at the table – to decide what to do about a missile that might be coming towards Canada," said Paul Cellucci.
Earlier, Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew told the House of Commons about the prime minister's decision, which Pettigrew said was based on policy, and not emotion.
Pettigrew said he informed U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice of Canada's decision on Tuesday during NATO meetings in Brussels.
"Of course, the U.S. is disappointed. They recognize and respect our decision," said Pettigrew.
While NDP foreign affairs critic Alexa McDonough praised the decision, party leader Jack Layton criticized the prime minister for telling the American secretary of state before informing MPs.
When asked Wednesday during Question Period whether he was planning to reject missile defence, Martin suggested the decision hadn't been made.
"The government has stated all along that it will make the decision when it is in Canada's interest to do so," said Martin.
The issue was thrust into the spotlight earlier this week when Canada's new ambassador to Washington, Frank McKenna, said Canada is effectively already taking part in the program by allowing the missile program to use Norad.
During a visit to Canada in December, U.S. President George W. Bush publicly urged Martin to join the program.
When he first took office, Martin suggested he supported joining the plan, saying he believed Canada should be at the table when it comes to any discussion of the defence of North America.
Critics of the program say it could lead to a new arms race and the weaponization of space.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
6 Ways Employers Recommend To Improve Your Resume
A successful Human Resources Manager, with years of hiring experience, told me: "A resume is nothing more than a slick piece of advertisement. But, a very important piece. In a few seconds employers decide your fate based on what they glean from your resume."
In fact, you get about 20 seconds, according to the national survey of 600 hiring managers and human resources personnel that I conducted. Here are some of those findings:
1. Always have a Summary of Qualifications.
To many hiring managers, the most important part of your resume is your Summary of Qualifications section. Adding this triples your impact. Employers reported that this was one of the very first areas they read. This section usually consists of 4-6 sentences that present an overview of your experience, talents, skills and work habits, and is a highly influential summation of what you bring to the job. Since most job candidates DON'T use this important, eye-catching section, I never write a resume without it--it's much too valuable. Let me show you an example from one of my client's resume is:
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Nine years management experience in human resources dealing with two fast paced, rapidly expanding high tech companies. Expertise includes employment law, recruiting, compensation packages, employee and laborrelations, and establishing workplace policies and procedures. Recognized for displaying excellent problem-solving skills and for developing employees' professional growth and productivity.
The Summary of Qualifications area, consolidates the best you have to bring to the job. It really stands out and pulls the employer in for a closer look. Besure that your resume has this essential section.
2. Demonstrate results.
Employers in the survey said vague, general resumes don't cut it. Use the "action =results" formula to create a high-impact tool. This is the specific formula where you show what was achieved in past jobs, especially bottomline contributions like saving time or money.
Instead of saying "I managed the team" for example, it's more effective to elaborate and say: "Managed the entire financial restructuring of department, and the results decreased staff & overhead, saving $90,000 annually." Be as positive as possible without exaggerating or misstating the truth. Note wherever possible how your actions brought about some positiveresults and accomplishments at your past employer--that's what gets attention.
3. One page works best.
Since most resumes are only allotted a 15-20 second review, don't waste precious seconds by using too many pages. You forget there's a cover letter to look at too, so consolidate your top abilities into one page. Be sure to emphasize the last 5 to 7 years, which most interest employers. We asked the employers on our survey which they preferred - 1, 2, or 3 pages? Everyone said no more than two pages, even for top executives.
Many stated that one page is best. Hands down, for staff positions and new graduates, one page was the top preference. Managers, professionals and executives could go into two pages; but often those with 20+ years of experience faced a serious problem when they elected to use a two page version. "Be crisp and focused," advised Joseph, a Department Director.
"Give me good info in an organized manner. Don't make me search for anything." Many other hiring managers echoed his words. Too often a longer resume is not a BETTER resume. Employers are interested in your abilities to manage and lead today, not in reading about irrelevant facts or outdated skills acquired during your early working years.
4. Target each resume to the job title sought.
"Job hunters send resumes in with no idea about the position. They mail in for anything and everything under the sun. No wonder they fail. It's the short, concise, one page resume with bullet-by-bullet accomplishments showing you can do the job that's the best way to impress me," says Jean, a Senior Executive and head of a large department. Target each resume to the job title sought. Even if you qualify for several different positions, it's better to create a different resume for each job, incorporating only the information pertinent to doing that specific job. This will eliminate the tendency to crowd your resume with too much non-related information. Support your abilities, accomplishments and past experiences with specifics to make your resume stand out. Mention any innovations, changes or actions (especially time &cost savings) that show you can take on the job and produce desired results.
5. Format matters. Your resume must catch the reader's eye.
"Professional, easy-to-read formats are essential," noted several executive hiring managers, "one that is visually appealing which suggests your professionalism, is an often overlooked but important component." Do not use micro-size type, and be sure to allow for lots of white space and borders. Make use of italicizing, CAPITALS, underlining, bolding, indentations, and bullets to emphasize important points. (Note: scannable resumes have different guidelines.) Print your resume on white or cream high-quality paper using a crisp laser printer.
6. Avoid the "killer boo boos".
Hands down, the "numero uno" mistake with every manager and HR personin our survey was spelling mistakes and typos. Many said: "I stop reading when I find spelling mistakes."Typos scream 'Don't hire me'. Proofread! Perfection is a necessity. And don't trust computer spell checkers. Don't use "I" in your resume. Instead, start each sentence with an action verb. Descriptive action verbs- such as established, analyzed, implemented, created, streamlined, organized - add power to your sentences. And don't include personal information about marital status, gender, height, weight, or health since it's an outdated style and violates discrimination laws.
Your resume can open doors for new employment opportunities - put in the time and effort to make yours great.
Source: Emailed to me by Able Kuriakose
Brad and Jen's 'quickie' divorce
(BANG) - Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston are reportedly set for a
'quickie' divorce.
The Hollywood heartthrob and the former 'Friends' beauty, who
announced their separation last month, are said to have asked their
business managers to sort out their affairs rather than bring in
divorce lawyers, according to American TV show 'Celebrity Justice'.
The programme claims the star couple didn't merge their money during
their four-year marriage and the only thing they have to sort out is
their Hollywood mansion.
Despite their split, Brad and Jennifer have remained close and last
week it was reported they were set to attend this month's Oscars
together.
While they insisted they were not rekindling their romance, the pair
were said to be keen to go to the Academy Awards together to prove
there are no hard feelings between them.
A source said at the time: "They see each other often and are still
living together. Their romance might be over but they are still close.
They are even discussing going to the Oscars together.
"They realise that if they turn up with anyone else, it will cause an
almighty fuss."
Brad and Jennifer, who married in July 2000, announced their split
after "much thoughtful consideration" but pledged to remain "committed
and caring friends".
Monday, February 21, 2005
2005 begins better than 2004 ended-Tsunami brings out...
Tsunami brings out the best and the worst of humankind // January 6, 2004
The new buzz-word of recent years, Tsunami, misunderstood by many as it crept into the vocabulary of the world's main languages, left no doubt as to its real significance in the last week of 2004. As the horror of the effects it unleashed upon countless thousands of victims from around the world came to be felt, so also were the reactions from the four corners of the Earth.
The fact that Russian rescue teams and supplies were rushed to the disaster area already on 27th December, when many countries were still wrangling about what to do, seems to have gone unnoticed in the international press, which is to be expected, given the climate of russophobia still endemic in western press circles hung-over not from Christmas and the New Year but mainly from the Cold War. The ongoing relief operations with experts deployed in the area, ferrying emergency aid to the victims on 28th and 29th December and thereafter also seems to have struck a blindspot in the international press circles which like to claim impartiality and objectiveness in their reporting, but which in fact practise a despotic policy of censorship unprecedented in the history of mankind.
However, the events of 26th December 2004 are not for scoring cheap political points, not are they for grand-staging because this monumental event, this tidal wave in international affairs, this tsunami among international relations, forged a benchmark among humankind, forcing all of us to ask the right questions and to try to find the right answers.
For example, why is it so relatively easy for countries such as the USA, the UK and their clique of followers and hangers-on, to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on a war in Iraq which saw the wholesale slaughter of tens of thousands of innocent civilians, when it appears relatively difficult to come up with a fraction of these figures in dollars-worth of humanitarian aid? And when less than a tenth of the war-fund is raised, mainly due to the efforts of private citizens, the collective government trumpets sound a brazen salvo of victory, does this make sense?
To commend are the efforts of the private sector in many countries, which have produced more than their governments initially pledged, when these private individuals, donating so generously, pay their taxes yearly, monthly and daily, to governments which are supposed to contribute automatically to funds for overseas development.
To commend are the considerable skills and courage of the aid workers in the countries affected. To commend are the selfless efforts of the inhabitants of Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Andaman islands, Nicobar islands, India and Thailand, many of whom had lost family members but who insisted on ferrying tourists to airports or ports so that they could get home.
To commend are the hundreds of tourists who have refused to cancel their holidays just because they want to help the local inhabitants rebuild their lives and their economies. To commend are the heroic efforts of many family members of victims, who have flown to the resorts and offered their services in recovering the bodies of their loved ones, however difficult a task this may be.
To commend are the messages and initiatives of support from practically all the world leaders, although the international press likes to dissect and choose who apparently said what.
All world leaders without exception felt the same horror and revulsion as that expressed by the select few bandied about on the mainstream news agencies, such as the messages from Tony Blair on his "working holiday" in the Middle East and George Bush who sent his brother and the outgoing Secretary of State to East Asia, after nominating his father and Bill Clinton as the ongoing fundraisers for the Tsunami fund and days after the USA tried to set up an exclusive regional task force, soon to be abandoned in a hail of international criticism, provoking some nice cosy noises pointed in the direction of the UNO, an organisation and institution which the Bush regime stubbornly and pathologically insists on deriding.
However, even the Bush regime came out of this crisis as one with the intelligence to change its naturally arrogant track, set right what it innately put wrong and try to mend fences by working with mankind instead of against it. Colin Powell, the man famous for lying through his teeth at the United Nations Security Council, comes across today as a man seriously committed to leaving his mark on humanitarian affairs. Too late, but nevertheless a great parting shot.
Yet to speak of Bush and Powell and Blair and not to mention the thousands of messages of support, shock and horror and solidarity and help, aid and love expressed by the other world leaders, is to insult the collective intelligence of mankind. All world leaders are committed to doing what they can to stimulate their nations' aid efforts, just as all citizens of the world unite in a common humanitarian cause.
If 2004 ended catastrophically badly, 2005 has begun extremely well, with a new spirit of togetherness, a new and renewed spirit of urgency to set right what nature wronged, to leave our collective mark in an ongoing battle with the elements, against which we lose so constantly but strive to understand so consistently.
Perhaps the tsunami in south-east Asia on 26th December 2004 kick-started a new wave of togetherness, a spiritual globalisation of humanitarian values and concerns which belittles the petty-mindedness of regimes such as those of Bush and Blair and their sycophantic followers-on and speaks volumes about the real values coursing through the veins of humankind.
It is nice to begin 2005 by saying that in this humanitarian wave, we have Bush and Blair on board. Welcome to the international community.
Article by Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey from Pravda.ru
What you can do about spyware and other unwanted software
What is spyware?
Spyware is a general term used for software that performs certain behaviors such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent. You might have spyware or other unwanted software on your computer if:
•You see pop-up advertisements even when you're not on the Web.
•The page your Web browser first opens to (your home page) or your browser search settings have changed without your knowledge.
•You notice a new toolbar in your browser that you didn't want, and find it difficult to get rid of.
•Your computer takes longer than usual to complete certain tasks.
•You experience a sudden rise in computer crashes.
Spyware is often associated with software that displays advertisements (called adware) or software that tracks personal or sensitive information. That does not mean all software which provides ads or tracks your online activities is bad. For example, you might sign up for a free music service, but "pay" for the service by agreeing to receive targeted ads. If you understand the terms and agree to them, you may have decided that it is a fair tradeoff. You might also agree to let the company track your online activities to determine which ads to show you.
Other kinds of unwanted software will make changes to your computer that can be annoying and can cause your computer slow down or crash. These programs have the ability to change your Web browser's home page or search page, or add additional components to your browser you don't need or want. These programs also make it very difficult for you to change your settings back to the way you originally had them. These types of unwanted programs are also often called spyware.
The key in all cases is whether or not you (or someone who uses your computer) understand what the software will do and have agreed to install the software on your computer.
There are a number of ways spyware or other unwanted software can get on your system. A common trick is to covertly install the software during the installation of other software you want such as a music or video file sharing program. Whenever you are installing something on your computer, make sure you carefully read all disclosures, including the license agreement and privacy statement. Sometimes the inclusion of unwanted software in a given software installation is documented, but it may appear at the end of a license agreement or privacy statement.
Source: Microsoft
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Inspiration: "The World's Best Quotes in 1-10 Words."
I've collected thousands of inspirational quotes. It seems that nearly everything that can be said, has been said, simply and eloquently, in a way that can seldom be improved. Winston Churchill wrote, "Broadly speaking, the short words are the best, and the old words best of all." So, I collected "The world's best quotes in one to ten words." These are the quotes, and my comments:
1. Love. —The Prophets
Jesus, Gandhi, Buddha. All the world's religious saints and prophets hold love as a central value, the glue that anchors the universe.
We hear, "Love makes the world go round," and "Love heals all wounds." These are familiar themes: love of friends, ideas, and self. Love of God and of country. Even love of life itself. If I could only have one word for all eternity, love would be my choice.
2. Know thyself. —Socrates
In college I studied philosophy under Professor Don Crosby, and met Socrates early. In career development, self-knowledge is everything. In a career, you can be two or three degrees off course and walk into a wall, instead of through a doorway. You don't have to be far off to have it fail.
Career unhappiness often results from lack of focus, and lack of focus stems from limited self-knowledge. But self-knowledge takes time, introspection, and effort. So it's easy to avoid.
3. Inches make champions. —Vince Lombardi
Under Vincent Thomas Lombardi's direction, the Green Bay Packers collected six division titles, five NFL championships, two Super Bowls, and record of 98-30-4. Lombardi knew a lot about winning. If football is a game of inches, so is career success. In the competitive world, you seldom win by a landslide.
Buzz Sullivan, my high school diving coach, told me, "A champion is someone who goes so far they can't go another inch—and then they go that inch." I wondered why that was important. Now I know. Winning in business or in personal life is all about inches: going small distances successfully, then going farther still.
4. Nothing gold can stay. —Robert Frost
We are swamped in change. And we had better get used to it, or at least figure out how to deal with it. In our parents' day, career change was uncommon. The norm was lifetime employment. Now CAREER = CHANGE. You'll have five careers in a lifetime, maybe six. Perhaps you'll do part-time, project, interim, or consulting work. And even if you're in your ideal dream job today, that might change tomorrow. Nothing gold can stay.
Martin Bucco taught English literature at Colorado State University, and first brought my attention to what words could mean. Bucco spoke of what he called "the great dead minds," those who have come before us and written their thoughts. He also said, "Time in life is short. You can only read so many books, so choose wisely." We spent many classes unwrapping Robert Frost's genius, and this is one of the poems that hit home:
NOTHING GOLD CAN STAY — by Robert Frost
Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
5. Work is love made visible. —Kahlil Gibran
About 80% of people are unhappy at work, and 20% are happy. Our culture has separated work from passion, and taught us to prefer a higher paycheck to higher happiness. That mistake costs us our souls. The goal of career development is to uncover one's gifts and passions, and to link them to the practical needs of the world. We call that "being in the right place," "finding a good fit," or "making the best use of one's talents."
In What Color Is Your Parachute? my mentor, Dick Bolles, quotes Fred Buechner, who writes, "There are all different kinds of voices calling you to all different kinds of work . . . (and) the place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." [2001 Edition, page 57.]
High compensation and high happiness are not incompatible. It's not that we shouldn't seek money, and lots of it; many of our clients do. But we should first seek to love, or at least to like, what we're doing. That's the realization of our highest calling.
6. No great thing is created suddenly. —Epictetus (A.D.200)
We live in a McDonald's culture. We want everything instantly and without effort. And we bristle when others around us appear to be getting more, sooner. Waiting for rewards or results is out of favor. It is so uncool.
Many things are created suddenly: the two-day house makeovers on HOME & GARDEN TELEVISION, for example, but they aren't great. They are adequate, functional, or practical improvements. Greatness requires thought and time, effort and sacrifice. Especially sacrifice.
Stellar careers aren't built overnight. Take the orthopedic surgeon, whose education extends 15 years past high school. Take the country western star on Grand Ole' Opry. Take the NFL quarterback or wide receiver, the CEOs, CFOs, and Vice Presidents of brand-name companies. Think about Edison, Einstein, or Galileo, or anyone else you might admire. None of them got there overnight.
Great careers are built upon hundreds of thousands of small efforts, undertaken daily, that eventually grow into a series of satisfying wins. An ad for Paul Masson Vineyards picturing a bottle of wine said, "Nothing good happens fast." I framed it, and hung it in my office.
7. Well done is better than well said. —Benjamin Franklin
This is a variation on "Actions speak louder than words" and on Shakespeare's superb quote, "Talkers are no good doers." An executive search consultant who recruited 500 bank presidents told me, "There are two kinds of candidates: tap dancers and superstars. Tap dancers go through the motions and superstars get the work done. I recruit the superstars."
8. No wind favors he who has no destined port. —Montaigne
The cliche, "If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there," is valid. And many careers are broken by lack of direction. Corporations define this concept as having a mission or vision, and organizations lacking vision usually flounder. "Career Planning" speaks to the idea of creating a blueprint for your future. That is, having a goal, a destined port—fulfilling your destiny. Stephen R. Covey said it well in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People when he advised us to "Begin with the end in mind."
9. Sometimes even to live is an act of courage. —Seneca
I've been there. You've been there. Sometimes life is hard. You hit a career roadblock or dead end. Nothing seems to be working. You're fired or laid off. Or worse yet, you and your spouse are both unemployed. It happens. And it happens more frequently than you might imagine, to good people, qualified candidates, because of circumstances beyond their control. I like Churchill's words, "Never give in, never, never, never, never; in nothing, great or small—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense." And I especially like the quote by Edmund Burke, who said: "Never despair, but if you do, work on in despair."
10. Do first things first, and second things not at all. —Peter Drucker.
It's so easy to do what's familiar, comfortable, or fun. It's so difficult, sometimes, to tackle the highest priority. And sometimes it's difficult to even know your top priorities; hence, the phrase, "I can't see the forest for the trees."
We suffer from over-choice: 67 varieties of toothpaste, 487 styles of shoes, 186 brands of cell phones with 137 telephone companies. We demand more variety than we could possibly need or want; and as a result, we get lost in options, opportunities, and choices. There are 87 varieties of lawyers, and 75 specialties inside medicine. The world of work can be a confusing landscape.
When you're flooded with career possibilities, or "swimming up Niagara Falls," it's good to spend time answering questions like, "What is the best and highest use of my talents?" and, "How can I make a bigger impact?"
If you can't establish clear career priorities by yourself, use friends and business acquaintances as a sounding board. They will want to help. Ask them to help you determine your "first things" and "second things." Or seek an outside coach or advisor to help you focus. Because if you don't know what your "first things" are, you simply can't do them FIRST.
Your friend,
Bill Frank
Interview Question And Answers - Tell Me About Yourself
From Ajeet Khurana
How to you tackle an interview question as open-ended as Tell me about yourself.There are 3 ways to tackle this interview question, and answers can range from the personal to the professional, from the specific to the general.
1) Give a quick run down of everything.
2) Talk only of the major accomplishments.
3) Refer only to facts that clearly relate to the position you are being interviewed for.
Naturally, there is no correct answer to this interview question. I would lean in the favor of a quick reference to some personal traits that give a quick-view of who you are. From there one could move to a one sentence of any relevant education/qualification. There should also be a mention of employment history.
Well so far, I have tackled this interview question and answered it with a resume answer. But, one thing that a resume does not contain that an interview answer should is a mention of the future: Where are you headed?? Why are you in this current profession?? Why are you presently seeking...
This interview question and answers to it can be used as a model to answer broad interview questions in general.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Tips of Using Microsfoft 2003
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Beat the blahs with diversions
Have the February blahs gotten to you yet? Are you fed up with winter's dull, dreary days and finding it hard to imagine that spring will ever arrive? What you need then is a diversion — a fun, easy and inexpensive new activity that will pull you out of your doldrums.
Your connected computer can be your best friend right now. The door to so many new activities is just a mouse-click away, and most cost nothing to explore. Why don't you put on your dancing shoes and learn from a virtual dance instructor or pamper yourself with spa treatments at home.
New projects always provide a splendid distraction from winter woes. This is the ideal time to gather all of those family recipes you've stashed in a drawer and create a family cookbook, or to make headlines and publish a family newsletter.
I'm ready for a diversion that will chase away my winter blahs. Hope you log on and beat the blahs, too.
— Kathy English, Senior Editor Microsoft Home Magazine
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Make your computer as unique as you are!
I knew I was a multitasker. You know the scene: one eye on the stove, phone at the ear, well within earshot of the oldest child requiring homework help, flipping through mail...
But I didn't realize the extent of my multitasking until a few days back when I sat down at the computer. Turns out I often have 10 programs and 16 windows open at the same time — and I know exactly what's what! You’d think I was computing for two.
But the fact is, we multitask in real life like we do at the computer. So why not make the screen we stare at for hours on end as inviting and comfortable as the homes we live in? Why not make our computers uniquely our own?
One of our family PCs automatically displays a slide show when it's not in use and we recently had an intense family pow-wow about who gets what user icon (I scored the fish — pisces rules!). The static screen saver on my laptop tends to be an image of my kids, or at this time of year, a dreamy beach.
But there are countless other ways to make your computer truly yours. Set your home page to the website you like to visit first each day and have certain programs open up the minute you log on. Control your volume and mouse click speeds, or customize your screen displays.
Ultimately, whether you're multitasking virtually or in real life (or doing both at the same time!), it's all about doing it in a way that feels right for you.
— Mara Gulens, Senior Editor Microsoft Home Magazine
Monday, February 14, 2005
6 ways to make your relationship last
How to build an enduring, loving relationship
By Carole-Anne Vatcher
What will it take to make your couple relationship last for a lifetime? Here are the crucial ingredients for long-term couple happiness:
1. Trust
Trust creates feelings of safety and security for you and your partner. Safety enables you to be closer to each other and to know that you can count on each other.
Remember that trust is a two-way street: First, you both need to engage in trust-earning behaviours. Be trustworthy and insist that your spouse be so as well. Then you both need to take the risk to trust each other. This can feel scary, but the rewards you reap can be great.
2. Respect
Research shows that continually treating your partner with contempt, dismissiveness or disdain greatly increases your chance of divorce. So remember to treat each other with respect. Sarcasm, name-calling, eye-rolling, and personal attacks all corrode couple closeness over time. Get these damaging behaviours out of your repertoire. Practise listening and speaking respectfully to your spouse, even when you are upset or angry — especially when you are upset or angry. If you have a hard time doing this, see a good couple therapist to help you. It's that important.
3. Friendship
Friendship is the foundation of a good couple relationship. Be a good friend to your spouse and nurture the friendship by prioritizing each other. Take regular vacations and go out and do fun things together.
Treat each other as special. Share your deepest thoughts and feelings with each other. Talk about your day-to-day successes and frustrations and take an interest in those of your spouse's. Share your dreams for the future and your deepest wishes for a life well lived.
4. Team play
Too many couples turn on each other as they face life's challenges. Treat your partner as your teammate, not as the enemy. Instead, map out your life goals together — financial, personal and professional. Then, as you work towards those goals, let each other know that you're in each other's corner and you've "got each other's backs." If you can make this transition to play on the same team together, you'll be very strong in your ability to handle the tough times.
5. Productive conflict and repair
At times you are going to disagree or be angry with each other. Don't suppress your anger and don't blow up with it either. Speak your deepest truths about what you need or want differently from your partner. Insist that your spouse listen. Know how and when to apologize.
6. Patience and flexibility
Your partner is a different person than you and won't always do things the way you do them. Honour your differences and celebrate your partner's unique qualities. What can you learn from your spouse's strengths? Remember what it was that made you fall in love with in your partner in the first place.
Underlying all of these items on this list is commitment: This is the dedication and determination it takes to make your relationship as good as it can possibly be — for yourself and for your spouse, over your life span. Happy relationships are worth the time and energy you put into it.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Valentine's Day survival guide for couples and singles
How to deal with unrealistic expectations on this hyped-up holiday.
By Carole-Anne Vatcher
For couples, Valentine's Day can be a fun, whimsical occasion or a deeply romantic affair. Unfortunately, the day can also create high expectations that result in disappointment.
For single people, Valentine's Day can be a painful reminder of the relationship they long for or the loneliness they feel in their lives. Here's how to manage the occasion, whether you're single or partnered:
For couples 1. Don't rely on your partner to read your mind.
If you have a dream or a specific desire for Valentine's Day, share it with your mate. If you want to be surprised, let your partner know. It's unrealistic to expect someone to know what you want and it sets you up for hurt or disappointment.
2. Give without expecting something in return.
If you anticipate receiving a gift and you don't get one, not only will you be disappointed, you can create the toxic culture of gift-giving in your relationship. Your mate may feel coerced or guilted into buying a present, and you won't take pleasure in something that was given half-heartedly. Only give what experience pleasure out of giving. No more and no less.
3. Be realistic.
Don't expect Valentine's Day to solve or fix problems in your relationship. Enough said.
4. Remember, it's only a day.
Be careful how you interpret your partner's lack of enthusiasm over Valentine's Day. Just because your mate forgets to buy you a gift or does something small doesn't mean he or she doesn't care about you. Consider your partner's actions over the entire year, not just on this day.
5. Do whatever fits for you, and be OK with that.
You don't have to do some big or crazy thing if it's contrived or doesn't feel right. Don't hold yourself or your couple relationship to some idealized standard or feel that your relationship doesn't measure up if you don't meet grandeur expectations.
For singles 1. Accept your emotions.
If you're feeling lonely because you're not in a romantic relationship, or sad over the recent ending of a relationship, give yourself permission to feel what you feel. Talk to a trusted friend or write in your journal about the feelings this day brings up. Remind yourself that it's only one day and that this day, too, shall pass.
2. Be social.
Organize a group of your single friends for dinner out or a potluck on Valentine's Day. Just because you're not in a romantic relationship doesn't mean that you don't have people who love you and whom you love in your life. Take this day to honour and celebrate these relationships.
3. Treat yourself to Valentine's fun.
Buy some flowers for your kitchen or a box of your favourite chocolates, schedule a massage or make an appointment at the spa. You're perfectly capable of treating yourself. You don't need a partner to do it.
Warm up your valentines
I'm betting I'm not the only one with vague memories of Valentine's Days past. Heading off to school, unsure if there will be any valentines waiting on my desk. And later, in high school, receiving a carnation from that special someone...
Now that we're older, we know that Valentine's Day is just as much about giving. And the Internet and your computer are the perfect tools to help plan out the day for every member of the family, from the kids to our grandparents.
Here are some ideas to help warm up your valentines?
Words: There's nothing easier than inserting poetry, like lines from Shakespeare into an e-mail. Or go all out and compose some thoroughly modern emoticon verse, which you can even send as instant messages to cell phones. Click here to find fun emoticons.
Cards: To make things fair, many kids are now encouraged (in fact, are given no choice) to give a valentine to everyone in the class. Why not go for homemade? You can whip up quick cards on your computer.
Music: Download a love-song soundtrack for a romantic evening in or digitize old favourites from your LPs.
Flowers, candy, wine, food: Order gifts online, discover the symbolic difference between red and pink roses, get the scoop on aphrodisiacs and create funky Valentine's Day boxers or T-shirts.
In short, use your computer to make this Valentine's Day unforgettable.
---Mara Gulens, Senior Editor Microsoft Home Magazine
Help your kids crack the reading code
Something happened to me recently that bowled me over.
A few days into the new year, I went in to check whether my seven-year-old was in bed. There she was, snuggled under the covers, reading to her little sister. But for the first time, she wasn't just making up the story based on the pictures. She was reading Dr. Seuss word for word.
Since then my daughter is finding meaning everywhere; street signs, newspaper headlines. She'll even peer over my shoulder while I type and say, "Mom, isn’t there a better word for that?"
Learning to read is a miracle — and when you're young, you can never get enough practice. There are many fun, educational resources available online to help kids with their skills. Click the mouse to find pages and pages of stories or kids' sites and software that enrich the literacy experience.
I'm thinking it won't be too long before my daughter will be going online to reserve her own library books. Or even — dare I say it — not just suggesting, but actually editing what I write!
Happy reading!
— Mara Gulens, Senior Editor Microsoft Home Magazine
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
50 Gmail invitations to give out
Happy Chinese new year everyone! I have nothing special for you aside from some invitations to have the best email address ever!
Have not heard of it yet? Visit http://www.gmail.com, powered by google.com. It must be noted that you need an invitation in order to register one, though it's free.
How? Send me an email to laiyijia@gmail.com , with your first name and last name.I don't care if it is real name or not, but you do need a real address to accept the invitation. Experience tells me that sometimes yahoo.com will block these invitations from its competitor google.com! Don't thank me, thank gmail.com.
Remember I do this for nothing. Just for you!
Again have a healthy and wealthy Chinese new year!
Harry
Monday, February 07, 2005
Do you have a computing job yet?
Dear Harry,
I am teaching in Fuzhou again. I am missing your help very much. The local lecturers and tutor do not have good aural English skills. It is also very cold without heated buildings. Do you have a computing job yet?
Kind regards,
Jacky
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Jacky Hartnett
Lecturer, School of Computing
University of Tasmania
Here's a book you may like to read
Michael Palin occasionally does a series on the BBC and has been doing for a long time. After each series has ended, he writes a book about what happened in the series. I am a great fan of Michael Palin, and already have all of the travel books that he has published! Thank you for spending the time to let me know, though.
The book you've mentioned, which in England is called "Around the world with Michael Palin," is the first one that he published. I would recommend the others as well.
Palin is very "down to Earth", which means that he is very practical, candid, easy to understand and nice-mannered. He is a very good example of a typical good-natured Englishman. His books are very good to study the English with because, as you have probably noticed, he is good at explaining the world from an English point of view an using English (rather than American) language. By Mike(England)
Would you be my reference?
Hi Harry,
I would be happy to be your reference. I was very very happy with your work. You are a very hard worker and paid attention to detail. You can have your contacts call me on my cell phone for a reference if you like. Cell #9xx-xxx-xxx2 or my work number 416-xxx-xxx01 ext 6xx6.
Thank you for helping me with this project.
Jacqueline
finding your sole mate-cultural difference
Mike and I seem to agree that culture difference should be considerd when finding your sole mate:
"Whilst I was in China, I met a Frenchman who did not have much luck with French women. His idea was to find a Chinese girlfriend, because he thought that he might be more lucky. I warned him that the cultural differences might make it very difficult and frustrating, even perhaps many years after first dating someone from a different culture.
However, I also met a man from Australia who had lived in China and had a Chinese girlfriend for many years, and they were happy. I spoke to him about it, and he said that it was at times a strenuous relationship. I got the impression that she was more interested in him because he earned a lot of money, rather than because of his
personality!..."
Mike
