Archive for April, 2006
Did FedEx Finally Deliver?
If you recall, last week I was waiting for my case of wine to be delivered. The business to which I had it delivered was open and staffed all week. But on Monday and Tuesday, FedEx’s tracking said, “Delivery exception: Customer not available or business closed,” which was just wrong.
Do Ask, Do Tell
Pamela Slim tells us it’s not my employer’s fault if my creativity is repressed. “Freedom is not a state of employment. It is a state of mind.” On a related note, Liz Ryan in BusinessWeek online says, Don’t Be Afraid to Ask: Sometimes a seemingly innocent question uncovers a touchy subject. But it can also [...]
Be a Toxic Employee
If I knew two years ago how to be a toxic employee, the knowledge would have saved me much grief.
Building Brand Image: 2 Lessons
My adventure started when Wine.com sent me a special offer. I had ordered a couple cases from them last year. I drink a glass of red wine every night. At first, it was an attempt to reduce my blood pressure. Didn’t work. But I did discover wine enthusiasm. I’m now a wine geek, or at [...]
More (Un)intended Consequences of the DMCA
The EFF has updated its report of Unintended Consequences of the DMCA, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. The DMCA has succeeded in attacking legitimate users of copyrighted material, an unintended consequence of just another political program. I have to wonder, however, whether anyone did intend these consequences. I mean, it seems so convenient for some [...]
Initiative Horrifying Initiative
People talk up initiative, but they act it down. Initiative is something everyone says they want and admire. But initiative means change. It means doing something that the organization isn’t doing already. It means challenging the status quo and taking the lead for an unknown future. If you’re a leader, an initiative-driven constituent will challenge [...]
Best Job in America: Software Engineer
According to MONEY Magazine and Salary.com, the best thing to be in America is a software engineer. What’s so great about being a software engineer? It’s the second-fastest growing job title. It’s a highly creative position. It involves cool, cutting-edge technology. It pays decently. There are plenty of places to go once you’re experienced. -TimK
Taking Responsibility
Some say Software Engineers aren’t real engineers, because we can’t be sued. (Well, actually we can. Anyone can.) But even if it’s atypical, we can still behave as though we can. Anyhow, the risk of lawsuit isn’t what drives professionalism! Consider this story of “A Potentially Disastrous Design Error.” The risk of legal repercussions almost [...]
Lawyers Are Not Businessmen
First, go watch this video about how one of Apple’s lawyers stuck it to the feelings of a little girl.
Eight Things Leaders Never Do
Great leaders are few and far between. This has nothing to do with genetics. Rather, most people just don’t know how to be leaders. The good news is that it’s relatively easy to learn to be a leader. You can start with these 8 beginner’s errors that can sabotage your efforts as a leader.