Time is everywhere

About a year ago I stopped wearing my watch. Although my watch is a spiffy Tag Hauer GMT, I elected to utilize the latest communication devices to track time instead. My devices for example include Blackberry, Notebook, and TV Program Guide.

In the beginning I felt awkward with nothing on my wrist. But, the benefits were immediate. I'd be in a meeting and could really focus on the agenda and what was being said (or not said) with a feeling of being ungoverned by the constraints of time. I ceased tracking time and thinking of an exit strategy to get into the next meeting.

Then I discovered that almost everything, from a credit card receipt to taxi meters displays the time. I think it's a conspiracy.

You don't know me??

Recently someone said to me that they "don't know me". This immediately struck me as odd given the amount in information about me...really anyone in the public domain.

Anyone with an Internet browser can quickly find out what I do for a living (and for a fun). They can find the topics I'm passionate about, who my friends are and which ones we have in common.

To make is simple, here are the key sources of "me":

• My Blog - Technology & Business Reinvention (this site!)
• Me on Facebook
• Me on LinkedIn
• Me on Twitter
• Me on Google Reader

Need more? Email me at david@daviddaniels.ca

Now who are you again?

Google is the Top Brand

Where was I last year when Google became the top brand in the world? According to consulting research firm Millward Brown, via Guardian.co.uk -

"Google has topped a list of the world's most powerful brands, with new research estimating its value to be $86bn."

This years top 5 brands on the BrandZ list are:

1. Google
2. General Electric
3. Microsoft
4. Coca Cola
5. China Mobile

Whats the rankings methodology? "...BrandZ has asked over 650,000 consumers and professionals across 31 countries to compare 23,000+ brands..."

Download the full list here.

Update - the brand that's had the highest increase in value is Blackberry at +390%.

A Company of Apprentices

"Always two there are; no more, no less: a master and an apprentice" -- this is a Yoda line from Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace. In the Star Wars universe, each Jedi Knight is taught by a Master over many years. In my career I've learned from many role models...or "Masters". They taught, coached and advised me at key moments.

But what if you're in a corporate culture where everyone is new like you? Late last year I read that over fifty percent of Google's employees had less than one year of tenure in the company. This didn't surprise me, as I am accustomed to working in such scenarios. It forces pro-activity, imagination, adaptability and accelerated productivity curves.

Still, in my experience, mistakes by new staff are made. I think that a strong product innovation strategy hides them all. The company's products drive significant growth. So much growth that no matter how many mistakes the mass of apprentices make, the momentum absorbs their low producing learning curve.

There's a twist. In these go-go environments apprentices become masters faster, as the need for team leaders escalates. I wonder what it will be like when these organizations reach scale, combined with headcount stability. Will the staff continue to strive to adapt or will they cease productivity gains? It should be an interesting thing to watch.

Last one in the car takes notes

I live in a part of North America where air travel to other cities isn't economical. When most people plan a business trip to a destination they click to a travel or airline website and purchase plane tickets...I don't.

One time, I computed the cost at $1.50 per kilometer for short haul flight (an hour or less). In comparison the longer haul (2 hours) was 22 cents per kilometer. Even if I wanted to fly, the flight schedules are not conducive to business schedules. So I rent a car, drive and save time and money.

In travelling this way I discovered a very cool benefit. On one trip I travelled with people I work with. We were heading to the same city for different meetings. This was a four hour car ride to the destination and four hours back home a few days later.

I bet you're groaning, thinking you'd be a captive audience in such a scenario. In fact the opposite is true. You would be surprised how many productive discussions can get accomplished on such a trip. As an added plus there's no risk of other passengers on a plane listening in on a confidential talk.

So instead of spending thousands of dollars to fly a bunch of people to a city a short haul flight away, rent a car an drive out and back...together. Just make sure to change drivers so that everyone gets a chance to talk. It's not safe to drive and chair a meeting at the same time.

How fast do you go?

There are many ways to gain insight into a person's business style. You can share a meal, go for a run or play a round of golf. If the person plays to win or lets you win, you can quickly get a sense of their personality and approach. In the same vein you can tell if they're courteous, share, or listen.

Getting such insight can be valuable about individuals, teams and whole companies. In the past I've written about "Benchmarking Your Parking Lot" to learn about how people get things done.

I think there is another better, more fun way to learn about a person. Say you need to appoint a Project Manager or key leader for an important initiative in your organization. Instead of holding the usual interviews in a stale meeting room or office...move the discussion to a car. It will be worth it!

When you're on a highway, whether the I35 in Atlanta, the 401 in Toronto or Santa Monica Freeway in LA, how do you navigate in traffic? Do you go faster than the flow of cars?...go slower?...or do you keep pace with the pack?

How a person drives in traffic is a reliable predictor of leadership style and therefore the level of success of the initiative in the hands of that person. Its not just the speed driven and the risks taken (or lack thereof) that are key predictors or indicators of performance. You'll want to assess how or whether they avoid traffic jams, make route changes, and handle the stress of getting to a destination.

Don't forget to changes places so your candidate gets a chance to assess you!

Click here for related links.

Getting the Best from Your People

Last week I was talking to someone about the perks that leading technology companies offer to their people to get their best. That person was very surprised at the perceived luxury of things such as as free soft drinks and meals, shuttle buses, on site concierges, etc...

I was successful at conveying that delivering these things is a win for the employee. But he didn't get that there's an even bigger hidden win for the employer. He couldn't get past the thinking that the upfront costs to deliver these perks would be too high for meaningful results to be attained.

I don't agree. Employers that offer enlightened perks gain increased job satisfaction and dramatically increased productivity by everyone.

Today on TechMeme I read a post from Jason Calacanis, the founder of Mahalo about this very subject. Jason wrote a piece called: "Startups Must Hire The Right People And Watch Every Penny. Or Fail" on his blog.

In my opinion Jason provides a simple "how to" to enable getting the best from your people so your company or team can win. For example: "Buy cheap tables and expensive chairs. Tables are a complete rip off. We buy stainless steel restaurant tables that are $100 and $600 Areon chairs. Total cost per workstation? $700. Compare that to buying a $500-$1,500 cube/designer workstation. The chair is the only thing that matters... invest in it."

Focusing on your product or service isn't the only way to ensure survival and success of your business...getting the best from your people is another way. Jason's tips, and the perks of enlightened companies enable this, whether you're in an established or early stage company.

Inside Skywalker Ranch

If you're a fan of George Lucas and his movies - Star Wars, Indiana Jones, etc... you've probably heard of his Skywalker Ranch and wondered what happens there. There's an article in the LA Times Magazine, by Geoff Boucher - "Inside George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch" you'll want to read. Click here to read it all.

Think Forward

Every where I look, there is a "best of 2007" review. I guess it's to be expected given 2007 is winding down. I'm not motivated by recalling the best or worst of the past twelve months. But give me the opportunity to think forward into the next twelve months and I'm quickly into value creation and action planning mode.

Scott Kessler of Business Week Online (via E-Commerce News) has an excellent two part piece covering Standard & Poor's - "Tech Sector Outlook 2008."

Standard & Poor's analysts in Part 1 - cover semiconductors, chip equipment, computer hardware, storage, electronic manufacturing services and systems software. Part 2 - deals with application software, Internet software and services, home entertainment software, IT consulting and data processing services, telecommunications services and communications equipment.

Check it out..its a great read.

Related Links: Technology

The Year in Ideas - According to the NYT

The annual the New York Times Sunday Magazine article where "Editors and writers trawl the oceans of ingenuity, hoping to snag many curious, inspired, perplexing and sometimes outright illegal innovations of the past 12 months" is out.

Very interesting stuff from Airborne Wind Turbines to Zygotic Social Networking.

Click here to check out every single idea.

My favourite is Crowdware...whats yours?

Related Links: Innovation, Ideas