September 2006

Applying the MAGIC framework to professional practitioners

September 30, 2006 Innovation

Mashups to them means exploring every nook and cranny of the Doblin innovation framework In our world, I’ve been experimenting with a range of technologies, asking vendors how they might usefully be ‘joined-up’ – mash-up in current parlance…. Alpha Technology…CIOs now realize they have to take more risk to deliver innovation and are willing to give younger vendors and technologies more of a chance – but only to vendors of practical, usable technology.

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Who should—and shouldn't—run the family business

September 29, 2006 Humour

Just when you’d thought my last post about anti-ageist legislation would provide a dreary end to the week and up pops no less a set of luminaries than McKinsey telling us: Family-owned companies run by outsiders seem to be better managed than other businesses, while family-owned companies run by eldest sons tend to be more poorly managed…. I won’t regale you with stories of opportunities squandered and daft deals like the one where the son turned the front garden of a fabulous country home into a corporation style nine-hole golf course thus ruining a historical treasure for a ‘golf club’ with no parking.

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UK anti-ageism laws or how UK government has Alzheimers

September 29, 2006 Uncategorized

Our good friends in the legal profession are first to raise the petard forecasting an increase in claims: Audrey Williams, from Eversheds, said: “The research shows that the recruitment process could become a breeding ground for potential claims…. But a little care in advertising and a positive attitude by professionals tasked with finding the best people for the job combined with a little common sense will see you through.

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Redfining the market – Winweb style

September 29, 2006 Cloud Computing/SaaS

Looking at the economics of this from a practice perspective, this could be worth 20 to 30% additional overall revenue per clients when taking the efficiencies of production into consideration and assuming same fee comparison…. It’s nice to see big company checks coming into a VSB service and while it does add an additional step, it provides professionals with the opportunity to identify weaknesses in client understanding about the way cash and bank transactions are recorded.

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More Yedda goodness

September 28, 2006 General

Underneath the Q&A section in the farthest left sidebar, you’ll see my Yedda profile…. There are things going on around me which I find just as interesting as the wonderful world of accounting but which are maybe more relevant to the small business sector about which there are other blogs.

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Ernst & Young gets recruitment religion

September 28, 2006 Humour

If you work for Ernst & Young…keep taking the happy pills. And for goodness sake, do something about the recruitment PR lunatic who put this together.

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Best practice or Dolly the Sheep

September 28, 2006 General

Consultants, software vendor and analyst organisations love to sell ‘best practice’ as a way of kidding users that if you just do this thing or that thing then you’ll have a world class…whatever…. The only thing that matters is NOT the technology or methodology or any other ology but the way you assemble the technology tools to provide your people with the best opportunity to excel at what they’re good at.

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Harrahs customer service and your taxes

September 28, 2006 Humour

Apart from their incredible success, they go to great lengths to ensure you really do enjoy forking over your cash…. As an aside, I wonder whether president in waiting chancellor Gordon Brown is looking to the US gambling tax model when and if Blackpool becomes the next Atlantic City?

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Getting fat – Microsoft style

September 27, 2006 General

Ouch – that hurts …totally agree with sleazy management…filling most of these managerial boxes mostly with cronies from outside who didn’t know their arse from a consulting engagement Now my eyes are watering I also saw a lot of victories claimed when nothing of value had actually been delivered Pass me the motion discomfort bag It wasn’t really hard to find something I liked (MS like company without the bullsh…)… Even though James has a somewhat different perspective and may well disagree: If you work at IBM you should read the Mini-Microsoft post linked to above, if only to sit back in your chair and indulge in some deep rich chocolately schadenfraude.

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