Typical Questions

What would you do to cut IT spending?

Reduce maintenance and tweaking:

1. Do user requirements definitions.

2. Develop specifications from the URDs.

3. Develop tests from the URDs.

4. Get agreement from all stakeholders.

5. Develop what was agreed on - no more, no less.

6. Get agreement that the system will be used in the agreed upon form for x months before any changes are made.

Are innovation and sustainability complementary or do they contradict each other?

I think innovation and sustainability are and should be complementary. Innovation leads to sustainability if sustainability is the goal. Innovation could lead in the opposite direction if continued exploitation and exhaustion of resources is the goal.

Is there a magic cure in Organizational Development? Who is to blame?

The magic isn't in assigning blame. It's in listening to the employees and implementing the practical ideas that you get while showing appreciation.

How can we get employees to work more effectively?

You ask for their input and use it when practical. There's nothing quite as motivating as the belief that you matter.

What is your philosophy in running your small business?

My philosophy is to give clients a significant and immediately apparent return on their investment.

Recommended readings on software development concepts for someone with a business background?

I think any book about basic flowcharting might give you the kind of understanding you are interested in. When you get into if-then-else diagramming and wind up with nested ifs, you get a very good idea of how it all works.

Why do projects that change processes fail so often?

Us and Them thinking gets in the way.

What is the best way to spread the word about sustainability so that organizations will start to operate in a way that is healthy for the planet?

A positive impact on their bottom line.

Which name is used in your company for the department in charge of the process & continuous improvement?

If there were such a group, it would most likely only be effective if it was under the direction of the head of the company. I think it's most effective if every employee is expected to contribute to continuous improvement. So the name I would use is "Suggestions and Awards."

How do you measure success in your job?

Problems solved.

Help Wanted: My small business is failing and I don't know what to do!

1. When can I meet you at the site?

2. I won't know that until I'm on site. If it's just a phone conversation, we might be able to establish some actions to be taken but they might not address the actual problems.

What will be the Next biggest Industrial Imperative which will require a revolution in business thinking and Global analysis?

I think we're well into it - clean energy.

What are some common obstacles to execution? What are some innovative strategies for beating the competition?

Creeping elegance is one of the most common obstacles. The best strategy I know of to combat it is not innovative but it is effective. Stick to the requirements document and schedule the blue sky stuff for future versions. Keep time to market in mind.

What are the Key factors for startup failure?

Not being prepared for growth.