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Saturday, March 27, 2010

Data Deluge

I am starting to think it isn’t just me. I tried to synchronize my iphone again last night, and it locked up failing to update and save my contacts. If history repeats, I have probably lost all of my information that will require me to reenter and recollect all of it. Troublesome stuff, annoying stuff, set your hair on fire stuff, except that this is the third time it has happened, so this time, I calmly shut everything down, and simply went to bed. I have never thought about it before last night, but there is great power in the ability to simply reach over, flip a switch, and suddenly the lights are now out. No drama, no server needed, no download time, just simply off and on.

I am sure that I am not alone in the feelings of frustration that I have toward the technology that surrounds us. Our toolbox of family experts now seems to need to include, not just a doctor, an insurance agent, an accountant, maybe a lawyer, but also now a technology expert, aka Geek Squad, to help us manage our life needs. As stated so well by friendly Fultondale neighbor and attorney Greg Morris, “When we have a problem with the VCR, we call in the Tech Team.” He added, “You know, call in the teenager.” How true! Get the agile, not quite jaded young’ un in here. They will help us figure this out!

In many cases, a fresh look by a rested bright mind can work through the problem. But, here lately, the problems with technology can be downright insurmountable. We should take a note of caution here, and “Trust not completely the things that you do not understand.” How do we harness the genie and put her back in the bottle? I do not think that we can, but we can take a moment to remember that the technology is the tool, and like all tools they should be used correctly, with training, and HAVE A BACK UP. It is staggering to see the level of dependence that we have tied into systems that we do not fully understand. In my work in the pharmaceutical industry, I have seen a large physician office literally close down for a day because the power was out. The closure was not due to heating and air, but the computers. Without clean access to paper charts, it was next to impossible to retrieve accurate, up to date information easily. The office was left to only triaging difficult care, and scrambling to get the Tech guy, elevated now to superhuman status, in “stat” to get them back online. Fascinating, yes. Funny, maybe. Scary, you bet.

The technology clearly can work for the good of business as through timely daily management of details, and data mining for opportunities. According to this weeks Economist there is actually a lot that we can expect from what is called the Data Deluge. In fact, Business Intelligence is one of the fastest growing parts of the software industry. Also, known as data mining, retailers are Masters of this. Supermarkets analyze “basket data” and tailor promotions to their customers. Online advertising is far more accurate than offline advertising, and is capable of great personalization. Government is slow to come around to using the technology to their advantage, but they do have that ability. Governor Riley has championed greater transparency in government whereby pay, contracts, and specific services provided would be public domain. Use of the data in this way would go far in building businesses as well as holding elected officials accountable.

This reality of the presence and demand of technology in our daily lives does predispose us to risk though. Stolen data, privacy breaches, theft and fraud examples abound. Rather than owning and controlling your own data, you may find that you have lost control over it.

The answer to addressing this issue according to the Economist lies in a great paradox. To have greater control of the data, you must make the data more transparent. By making the data more transparent, you by nature increase personal accountability. Market incentives will then come into play as organizations that manage data well will be favored over those that do not. Greater transparency in these areas will give people more control over their data without intricate regulation. We know that regulation stifles innovation and creativity, and creativity is what brought us to this dance anyway.

As you move into your week, take some time to fireproof your technology. You may wish to check out some recommended sources on http://ready.gov. Go to the business link for information on protecting your people, your business and your investment.

And remember, take care of your customers, or someone else will. You can find additional readings on my blog at http://businessadvise4u.blogspot.com

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Senator Sessions and the North Jefferson Area

Where do you get your information? How do you stay up to date on information and change that drives your community, school and business? Social networks such as FACEBOOK, which boasts over 400 million users, have become seriously popular ways of communicating. This is of course not news, but the struggle to keep current with accurate information remains a challenge. It would seem that the more there is to know, the more there is to know. At the end of the day, it is refreshing to see that our rich access of information still takes time to pull from the good old fashioned face to face , “lets get some coffee and talk” communication.

To that end, Hayden welcomed a visit from Senator Jeff Sessions recently to discuss current affairs, and the content of his discussion centered on issues that are held in common concern to include jobs, taxes, security and what that means for tomorrow. It was a good old fashioned coffee klatch, and it seemed as if I was there. I was able to download the audio of the presentation from http://townofhayden.com/audio_recording and listen in to a rich discussion of Senator Session’s opinions and efforts. Now that is just cool. Making the technology work for me, I am really now able to be two places at one time. Remember this type of resource as we move into the next election cycle, and garner your information first hand to make the best decision on your candidate. While I am not an advocate of Big Brother on this, opening your conversation up to recording and willing distribution via the internet, shows accountability, benchmarks honesty and integrity. This takes accountability and responsibility on the part of our leaders to a new level, and we need to respect the boldness of those who reach out to their constituents in this fashion. Take a moment to find the listed link and listen in to the Senator’s comments in full if you like. Make your own decisions, but here is a brief summary.

Speaking to the people of Hayden, Senator Sessions positioned that future growth is to be attained in the same fashion that it has always been attained, with hard work. Weak values and something for nothing mentality is a failed strategy. It may work for a bit, but it is not sustainable. With respect to the stimulus package, most money went to welfare or social spending, not true job creation. In fact, only 3% went to highway improvement, with no real measureable impact on new jobs. There will be additional funding to come, but he suggests that it should have been in the first bill, and focused on true job creation, not sustained social spending. What did we get for the spending? According to the Senator, more debt. We are on track for 5.7 trillion with a “T”. In 5 years, it will be 11 Trillion. Interest alone is 170 Billion for a single year. Per Senator Sessions, and I concur, this is the biggest threat to the future of our country. I would add it is a threat to State, regional, and local growth as well. You just can’t keep borrowing into a hole. Any Tea Partiers out there? You know this, and you are doing a great job on holding leadership accountable. Bottom line, stimulus dollars are good, but there are consequences.

In his comments on Terrorism, Senator Sessions reminded the listeners that we in fact have a group that is at war with us. “These are not common criminals,” said Senator Sessions, “civilian court is not appropriate, because these people violate the rules of war.” A quick reminder, the “rules of war” are clear. If you enter our country surreptitiously, with the intent to harm non-combatants, then you have broken the rules of war. This premise dates back to George Washington, and has been utilized by Roosevelt and others to protect our people and borders. The Senator reminded the group of a conversation between Lindsey Graham and Eric Holder. When Graham asked Holder, “What should a soldier do if he captures Bin Laden, read him his rights?” the reply by Holder was “It depends.” Really?? Good to know Senator, and thanks for the heads up on this one.

On the topic of healthcare, Senator Sessions comments include a recognition that not just he, but the American people are clear that a government take over is too big and too much, and not wanted. It passed the Senate on Christmas Eve, with no Republican support. Deals were brokered with states all over the place to get the needed 60 votes, in spite of clear public opposition. One good thing did come from this pushed through agenda though. Along came a vote in Massachusetts. This was a clear vote for less government, and was stated clearly by then candidate Brown who said, “This is the people’s seat, not the senator’s seat.” Per Senator Sessions, and as this author has implored, involvement by the public does matter, and it does send a message.

Take some time this week to seek out information as it pertains to your National, State AND local political decisions. It will impact your business sooner or later, so jump in there now and get involved.