Managing Technology Within An Organization

“I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.” – From the HAL 9000 computer, 2001: A Space OdysseyWhen it comes to technology solutions for your business it is easy to get carried away with the latest-and-greatest gadgets and solutions. Everyone wants to have the latest shiny thing. In larger organizations, managing technology can become burdensome due to competing and duplicative technology requests. Left unfettered, the company technology platform can resemble a “spaghetti bowl” over time. Often is the case, new technology requests are submitted without any business case to support their investment.I am a big proponent of having non-technology business leaders play an active role in the determination of the technology solutions utilized at an organization. While it is critical to include an IT perspective from a technical interface standpoint, having non-IT personnel drive technology solutions often lead to decisions based on thebusiness needs of the organization. As such, any technology request would require a business plan to support the investment.Form A Technology Committee: This is the start of your technology approval process. Create a technology committee that represents various personnel from cross-functional departments. Consider selecting an operations, marketing, accounting, technology and finance member to this team. This committee is charged with creating the process for submitting technology solution requests for the organization as well as providing the prioritization and ultimately, approval of the requests.Develop A Submittal Process: Inherent in a well-thought through technology strategy for an organization is developing a process for the submission of ideas. Following the “garbage-in, garbage-out” mindset, developing a detailed process for submission will help weed out the “nice to haves” and focus the committee on real, tangible solutions. This process should not only include the technology solution identified, but as importantly, the business case for its justification. For approved projects in the queue, a monthly communication should be sent to the organization recapping the activity of the committee.Focus Your Projects: A technology committee creates focus throughout the organization. While it would be great to have every new iteration of technology that gets released, that is impractical and costly. The committee can help with providing a high-level perspective on the entire enterprise since it is considering all requests. All to often, departmental requests have a tendency to be created in a silo, with only the impact on that department considered.Need To Have Vs. Nice To Have: This is a biggie. It is easy to feel that an iPhone 3 becomes obsolete as soon as the iPhone 4 is released, but when the technology is run by the committee, the “nice to haves” usually fail due to a lack of business case. The committee allows the organization to run with an unbiased interference with respect to technology. The committee is charged with improving ROI on technology solutions and since it is comprised cross-departmentally, there should be no “pet” projects.One Project, Big Picture: I have headed a technology committee in the past and the greatest “aha” moment for me was the amount of similar technology solutions that were being presented from different departments. Had all of these requests been accepted, the organization would have overspent IT dollars as well as created duplicative solutions to the same issues. The committee allows for its members to “rise above” the fray of the organization and view the technology requests in the big picture. The committee’s goal was to ensure that any approved request was accretive to the overall company.Create A Business Case: This is the best way to clear out the clutter. Ask employees what they need from a technology solution and the committee will be inundated with ideas. Ask them to submit in a business case (cost justification for the investment) along with their solution and ideas are significantly reduced. The business case for a technology solution not only helps in identifying whether the investment is worth it, but also forces the author to think about how this solution interfaces within the existing platform.Post Analysis: Lastly, carefully measuring the business case proforma against the actual cost/return of the projects not only holds the submitter responsible, but also the committee. The goal with the post analysis isn’t to “call people out”, but rather provide an unbiased financial review of the project. Without this type of post analysis measurement to hold this team accountable, the committee eventually will serve no purpose.

5 Empowering Tracks From Female Icons To Make You Feel Inspired

Sometimes we all need a little lift. Whether you’ve had a recent knock to your confidence, have been going through stress in your personal or professional life, or have always struggled with your self-esteem, music is an essential tool for lifting your spirits and making you feel better about yourself.

According to a study by Heriot-Watt University, the type of music you listen to not only influences your mood, but also your personality, with indie and rock/heavy metal fans reporting the lowest levels of self-esteem, while fans of jazz, blues, opera, classical, pop, rap and soul all reported high levels of self-confidence.

So if you’re having a ‘down day’, why not boost your spirits by listening to some powerful, uplifting tracks? Here are five perfect confidence boosters.

Britney Spears – Toxic

Britney’s own struggles with her mental health and conservatorship have made her an inspiration for many people across the world.

This classic song is timelessly sensual, and the heavy beats throughout make it impossible not to dance to. A welcome blast of nostalgia, this tune has filled dance floors across the globe with fans old and new.

The video features Britney as a female spy playing the sexy flight attendant, seducing her passenger before she makes her escape on a motorbike and breaks into a high-security facility guarded by a laser security system.

This track and video is a guaranteed way to feel invincible, and deserves a place on your playlist no matter your mood.

Kelis – Milkshake

A cheesy classic that is guaranteed to make you feel all warm and gooey inside, Kelis pumps up the heat in this 00’s RnB track. Underpinned by intricate drum beats and electric elements, Kelis’ self-confidence is infectious, and it’s hard not to find yourself smiling at the lyrics.

This track is a great way to get into a flirtatious mindset, making it a great choice before going on a date or heading out for the evening.

And if you’re staying in? It’s a great mood lift. But beware! You may find yourself craving a sweet treat.

Eve (ft. Gwen Stefani) – Let Me Blow Your Mind

This RnB classic will capture your attention with its assertive rhythm and powerful vocals from 00’s icons Eve and Gwen Stefani. Featuring a laid-back – yet self-assured – beat, and catchy guitar riff, this is a great track for driving, and its empowering feel is sure to help you feel motivated.

Got a job interview lined up, or thinking of asking for a raise? This anthemic number is a quick way to feel positive and more assertive.

The video features Eve and Gwen Stefani crashing an exclusive event on quad bikes, causing a stir among the privileged attendants, and shoving the performer off stage to perform their own music, before finally being arrested and taken to the station in a police van.

This ‘baddie’ track helps you to tap into the hidden ‘bold’ side of your personality, and lifts your mood while keeping you feeling calm and cool.

Fergie – MILF$

If you have kids, it can be difficult to feel sexy. When you’re running around cleaning the house, changing nappies, or up to your elbows in dishwater, you can easily forget your sensual side – leaving you feeling frumpy and lacking in confidence and motivation.

Thankfully, Fergie’s comeback track is a quick remedy to your low mood and lethargy.

Featuring attractive mothers dressed in curve-hugging latex and silky lingerie going about their daily life in a dreamy, colourful suburbia, this track is a quick way to transform your self-esteem and transport you to a world where you are not just a mother, but a goddess too.

Why not shake off the day and tap into your feminine energy with Fergie, your sexiest PJs, and a bottle of your favourite wine?

Marina And The Diamonds – How To Be A Heartbreaker

Low confidence after a breakup? You’re not alone. Having your heart broken can leave you feeling depressed, undesirable, and unmotivated. So flip the tables on your ex and become a heartbreaker with Marina’s catchy club classic.

This empowering dance track will make you want to move your body and get in touch with your bad girl side, with its heavy beat and pounding rhythms.

Plus, if your libido has suffered as a result of your low mood, take a sneaky peek at the video – it will get your blood pumping with its steamy shower shots and smoking hot male models.

Inflation: Causes, Perceptions, Concerns, Strategies, Actions!

The reality of economic conditions is, we either experience, inflation, recession, or some condition, in – between! In recent memory, over the course of time, it usually is, a matter – of – degree, because, it seems, regardless, what the so – called, experts, claim, prices appear to go – up! We are experiencing, what appears to be, an inflationary period, in the past few months, with prices, rising, in nearly, every area of life! Prices of homes, cars. building materials, groceries, etc, all, are more expensive! However, it is important to remember, and consider, we just went – through, one of (if, not, the worst), pandemics, in this nation’s history, including: quarantines, business closings, supply – chain challenges/ disruptions, etc, and, no one, knows, for sure, what the future, might bring! Is this period, going to be, a longer – term, or shorter – term, challenge/ obstacle? With, that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly, consider, review, examine, and discuss, the possible causes, perceptions, concerns, strategies, and actions – forward.

1. Causes: Simply, speaking, inflation is an extended period of rising prices, across the economic – spectrum! Precisely, what causes this, varies, but, most of us, recall, several inflationary periods, as well as other periods, of steadier, economic conditions/ costs/ pricing! How much does the pandemic, have to do, with what we are currently, experiencing, and what else, may be factors? Because, of concerns, because of unemployment, business closings/ challenges, government subsidies, federal deficits, and, historically – low, interest rates, many components, of our economy, are impacted!

2. Perceptions: Our citizens’ perceptions have a significant impact, on our economy. When, consumer confidence, is higher, people, spend more freely, and, across – the – board! When, it isn’t, the overall, economic conditions, slow – down!

3. Concerns: The concerning part, of inflationary conditions, is our fears, of losing ground, to the ever – increasing, cost of living! How long, will people be willing to pay, the huge increase, in the price of buying a house? How long will interest rates, remain, at historic lows? When food, gasoline, and, most other things, become more expensive, and, eventually, salaries/ wages, no longer, keep – up with that pace, what will happen to the overall economy?

4. Strategies: This nation, politically, is a divided country! We have never witnessed, the degree of partisan politics, we see today! How much, should the government, subsidize, what should be the priorities/ goals, and for how long? How much is too much, versus, too little? Perhaps, the greatest, potential difference, may be, the inability of our elected officials, to look, at the bigger – picture, in a relevant, sustainable manner, as opposed, to taking the path of least resistance, and using the populist approach?

5. Actions: What the end – result, and ramifications, of inflationary periods, may depend upon, the strategies, and actions, those, in positions of leadership, pursue, and take!

Wake up, America, and, recognize, the potential impacts, of inflation, both, in the shorter, and longer – periods! Will you demand, responsible action, or accept, the same – old, same – old, excuses, etc?

Capital Gain Hikes Vs. Corporate Innovation

The two major American political parties are in a constant tug-of-war over their policy agendas and spending proposals.

The Democratic Party believes in increasing taxes on corporations and capital gains to pay for social service programs that benefit the poor and middle-class citizens. The Republican Party believes lowering taxes on corporations and capital gains will allow businesses to become more innovative.

The Republican economic philosophy is more innovation leads to more organizational growth, jobs, and higher wages. But the counterargument from the other side is only the wealthy and powerful have assets with capital gains. Because of this, the wealthy can afford to pay higher capital gains taxes to fund the welfare of the working poor.

What is missing from this counterargument is the possibility of innovation. Wealthy venture capitalists and investors are responsible for helping new and innovative companies grow into large corporations employing thousands of people.

One of the reasons why investors take these kinds of risks is to enjoy a potential profitable return. Unfortunately, capital gains tax hikes make investors more reluctant to invest in innovative companies with the potential to change the world. If politicians increase capital gains taxes, it usually forces investors to move their money toward a safer investment, such as bonds or stocks that pay a high dividend.

Friedrich August von Hayek once said, “I do not think it is an exaggeration to say history is largely a history of inflation, usually inflations engineered by governments for the gain of governments.” Capital gains tax increases to fund social welfare programs will lead to higher inflation and less innovation. Hayek understood that all inflation throughout history could be attributed to tax increases and government overspending.

A society cannot evolve if a government funds the welfare of its people. It can only evolve through innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity. That is what Hayek believed over 50 years ago, and his philosophy is still relevant today. However, there is a significant portion of the modern population that identifies as socialist and progressive. Their thinking is more in line with famous social economists like Karl Marx.

“Capital is independent and has individuality, while the living person is dependent and has no individuality.” Karl Marx thought capitalism robbed people of their freedom and individuality for the benefit of the upper class. A society that puts innovation and money above the welfare of people would lead to internal tensions and conflict. That is the Marxist economic philosophy.

Overall, a society with more social welfare and less innovation cannot create more jobs and opportunities. If progressive politicians want to keep funding social programs with money that does not exist, it will only reduce innovation and increase inflation. Even if the rich did pay higher capital gains taxes, the government does not generate enough income to pay for all its proposed social programs.