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
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Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Technology for All
Who knew? I am a reformed Luddite. No, it is not some rare sect of Post-Reformation religion, but a Luddite is someone who feigns and even shuns technology. I, however, have seen the light. I am reformed, and proud of it!
The Luddites were protesters during the Industrial Revolution who smashed their textile machines in protest to the change, and in particular to loosing their jobs to the new technology. This is not to be confused with the 70 Million people, or approximately 25% of the US population who do not use computers at all. According to the Pew Center on the Internet and American Life, the bulk of these people are aging boomers and seniors who find technology intimidating, rural Americans who do not own computers, and low-income Americans who find them too expensive. The real “New Luddites” are just those who simply choose to not use the technology even though it is available. According to the Pew study, the new Luddites shun and even rebel against their computers and blackberrys.
While slow to start, I have hastened my move from my Luddite thinking to fully embrace the vast array of tech offerings that we have today. According to Microtrends, I am not alone. There was a time that the “quiet, smart girl” would love her technology and be a happy introvert. It seems that those who embrace technology have now made the move from introvert to extrovert. Computers and technology are not just the diet of the classic science and research geek, but now are the mainstay of the socially organized. It is the staple of the party organizer, and can drive the family social life center. It may have you happily purring about Linked In, Facebook, Blogs and all the great mysteries of the internet.
Recall for a moment the Myers-Briggs personality test questions. These questions center on a person’s habits, attitudes and preferences, and can be applied to just about everything including technology. The Myers-Briggs quadrants are divided into 4 primary categories of Drivers, Expressives, Analyticals, and Amiables. In general, Drivers and Expressives tend to be extrovert personalities that do a lot of telling and do so in direct, and colorful ways. Analyticals and Amiables are the introverts that do a lot more asking of questions, and tend to be more subdued. Interestingly, when these queries are made with respect to preferences in technology, nearly 60% of the most enthusiastic tech users are extroverts. In the Mictotrend research, those who tend to shy away from computers tend to be the ones who shy away from a social life. It seems that the technology that was once the refuge for the socially inept, is now the haven for the socially ambitious. The quiet techie geek, who had no friend prior to Facebook, now has an impossible number of Friends with which to keep up. The average thirteen year old can have hundreds of “friends” on Facebook.
Another point of interest is the larger number of women compared to men who are deep into the high tech binge. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, girls are more likely than boys to use mobile phones and digital cameras. Think about this if you walk into Best Buy any time soon. Historically not a store focused on women, Best Buy is shifting some of the focus to personalized shopping, softer lights and music to enhance appeal to women shoppers. Think for a moment about the thirteen year old next door with the cute bling-bling on her cell phone case. Are there any ladies reading this who will admit to changing your computer briefcase color as well as your purse color to compliment the changing seasons? It seems that women want technology that will accentuate, not take over. And look at all of the choices! My recent mailing from Franklin Covey made my head spin with the selection of binder covers, and brief case styles. AAAHHHH!! Spring!!!
You still may not know “what women want,” but if it rings, beeps or clicks, it had better be cute!
And remember, take care of your customers, or someone else will.
The Luddites were protesters during the Industrial Revolution who smashed their textile machines in protest to the change, and in particular to loosing their jobs to the new technology. This is not to be confused with the 70 Million people, or approximately 25% of the US population who do not use computers at all. According to the Pew Center on the Internet and American Life, the bulk of these people are aging boomers and seniors who find technology intimidating, rural Americans who do not own computers, and low-income Americans who find them too expensive. The real “New Luddites” are just those who simply choose to not use the technology even though it is available. According to the Pew study, the new Luddites shun and even rebel against their computers and blackberrys.
While slow to start, I have hastened my move from my Luddite thinking to fully embrace the vast array of tech offerings that we have today. According to Microtrends, I am not alone. There was a time that the “quiet, smart girl” would love her technology and be a happy introvert. It seems that those who embrace technology have now made the move from introvert to extrovert. Computers and technology are not just the diet of the classic science and research geek, but now are the mainstay of the socially organized. It is the staple of the party organizer, and can drive the family social life center. It may have you happily purring about Linked In, Facebook, Blogs and all the great mysteries of the internet.
Recall for a moment the Myers-Briggs personality test questions. These questions center on a person’s habits, attitudes and preferences, and can be applied to just about everything including technology. The Myers-Briggs quadrants are divided into 4 primary categories of Drivers, Expressives, Analyticals, and Amiables. In general, Drivers and Expressives tend to be extrovert personalities that do a lot of telling and do so in direct, and colorful ways. Analyticals and Amiables are the introverts that do a lot more asking of questions, and tend to be more subdued. Interestingly, when these queries are made with respect to preferences in technology, nearly 60% of the most enthusiastic tech users are extroverts. In the Mictotrend research, those who tend to shy away from computers tend to be the ones who shy away from a social life. It seems that the technology that was once the refuge for the socially inept, is now the haven for the socially ambitious. The quiet techie geek, who had no friend prior to Facebook, now has an impossible number of Friends with which to keep up. The average thirteen year old can have hundreds of “friends” on Facebook.
Another point of interest is the larger number of women compared to men who are deep into the high tech binge. According to the Consumer Electronics Association, girls are more likely than boys to use mobile phones and digital cameras. Think about this if you walk into Best Buy any time soon. Historically not a store focused on women, Best Buy is shifting some of the focus to personalized shopping, softer lights and music to enhance appeal to women shoppers. Think for a moment about the thirteen year old next door with the cute bling-bling on her cell phone case. Are there any ladies reading this who will admit to changing your computer briefcase color as well as your purse color to compliment the changing seasons? It seems that women want technology that will accentuate, not take over. And look at all of the choices! My recent mailing from Franklin Covey made my head spin with the selection of binder covers, and brief case styles. AAAHHHH!! Spring!!!
You still may not know “what women want,” but if it rings, beeps or clicks, it had better be cute!
And remember, take care of your customers, or someone else will.
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