Let's Do Lunch.....Leadership and Career Growth in Silicon Valley » Decision Making

How Can I.T. Become a True Business Partner?

Devin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:08:49 +0000

There’s a good reason that the Scott Adams cartoon, Dilbert, has a character called “Mordac The Preventer of Information Systems”. I’ve heard many disparaging comments about I.T. departments in general and in the last 3 weeks I’ve been at my wits end trying to get a project approved in our I.T. department.

From Scott Adam’s Dilbert

I.T. . . . → Read More: How Can I.T. Become a True Business Partner?

The Plural of Anecdote is Not Data

Devin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:47:15 +0000

The most common corporate buzzwords that I’ve been hearing over the last year are “transformation and “disrupt”. Companies are focusing on how to create a competitive advantage in this tough economic downturn. Markets have been shrinking during this 22 month recession and any advantage must come from focusing on business infrastructure in the reduction of capital . . . → Read More: The Plural of Anecdote is Not Data

Death By PowerPoint

Devin — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:12:14 +0000

We’ve all sat through long presentations that left us wondering how to get that fraction of our lives back. You know, those “FYI” presentations that are often more self aggrandizing than informative. During this economic downturn, I have seen an increased number of internal company business communications that have made me wonder who the . . . → Read More: Death By PowerPoint

Does PowerPoint inhibit decision making?

Devin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 10:00:26 +0000

I chuckled when I read “Speaking Truth to PowerPoint” in the Wall Street Journal this morning. Business has grown to rely heavily on PowerPoint as a primary communications medium. Unfortunately, details are lost because the nature of presentation slides is summarization. I depth business planning requires a format that is conducive to thoughtful . . . → Read More: Does PowerPoint inhibit decision making?

Hiring During a Talent Glut

Devin — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:38:55 +0000

The economic downturn drags on and the job market has gotten tough. There is a lot of speculation that the economy is at or near a bottom of this slump but how long will we stay there until recovery begins? Companies continue to let very talented people go as they hunker down against slower . . . → Read More: Hiring During a Talent Glut

What Causes Passive Aggressive Behaviors at Work?

Devin — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 23:03:16 +0000

Leadership is a double edged sword. On the one hand, leaders who are too controlling make their people feel uncomfortable making decisions. On the other hand, leaders who don’t provide enough guidance create a culture that fosters inconsistency and lacks goals. Both extremes cause passive aggressive behaviors that break down corporate culture and damage trust. Leaders . . . → Read More: What Causes Passive Aggressive Behaviors at Work?

Data and Processes Don’t Make Your Decisions For You

Devin — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:44:46 +0000

Business decisions are, by their nature, subjective. Oh, we analyze data to understand exceptions and develop processes to ensure consistency; but, these are only aids to understand and limit risk. It’s interesting to observe so much effort around data analysis and process development, in an attempt to cover all bases. In the end, we . . . → Read More: Data and Processes Don’t Make Your Decisions For You