What Happens Online Stays Online!

With the continuous influx of data, life as we once knew it will never be the same (for some this is the only existence they have ever known).   Millions across the world have created online profiles for "all" to see through the use of Facebook.   This social media platform has in turn generated a vast amount of data that is now being collected and used for business advantage.   We are warned over and over not to put too much information online, yet we all do.   We often believe that if we can't see it, it just does not exist.   Marketers all across the world are gathering data on us each and everyday and we are allowing this to happen.  From a business perspective/advantage, this is great news! 


Wolfram Alpha is a computational knowledge engine that can produce just about any type of report you could think of.   Wolfram/Alpha's purpose is to make all system knowledge immediately computable and accessible to all.   Their system is simple.   Unlike Google, where you would search the internet for information, Wolfram/Alpha is taking the data you are inputting and giving you back in return a detailed, dynamic output of information.   For example, if I were to type in the word Facebook (linking to my own page), I would get a report generating data, graphs and statistics containing every detail of information I have ever shared.   This information ranges from personal information about myself down to what time I am most apt to be on the social networking site.   It will even give me my word frequencies and a word cloud arranged from my various posts (see below).   This information could be useful to businesses wanting to target maybe someone with children, or what time/day someone is most likely to be online, etc..




Today's increasingly competitive marketplace requires that companies make targeted, data-driven business decisions to secure their standing in the industry.  Leveraging company data is one of the most viable methods for organizations to stay on top!




http://products.wolframalpha.com/business/

Google Wallet (What’s in your wallet?)

The next wave in IT trends seems to most definitely be leaning towards Mobile IT.   Google has a new product on the horizon called Google Wallet.   This app will allow consumers to say goodbye to their bulky wallets.    Now most, if not all of the contents currently in your wallet, credit cards, reward cards and gift cards, etc. will be uploaded to your Smartphone.      You will be able to make a purchase with a click of your phone.    Time for me to purchase a Smartphone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVCqubJNXAM 

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year…….”

Where did the summer go?    With school only a month away stores are bracing themselves for the back to school shopping frenzy.

In past years your television was inundated with EXPENSIVE adds showcasing back to school deals way before we were even ready to view them.     My favorite being the one from target with the jingle “it’s the most wonderful time of the year”.    Always back by popular demand.

This year companies are advertising their products using a less expensive approach.    FACEBOOK!     Tapping into the Facebook market allows for companies to reach a wider audience, not to mention it is extremely cost effective.  

Some of the stores jumping on this bandwagon are Target, Sears and Aeropostale.      Aeropostale has gone as far as to launch a new “Facebook Store”.

It always amazes me that Facebook, back in its beginning was designed by a group of college students as strictly a social media.    Fast forward to today, it has become widely used by companies as a business tool.     

http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/02/technology/facebook_back_to_school/index.htm?hpt=te_bn2

Is Outsourcing a Four Letter Word?

Out sourcing seems to be just as common a topic lately as the rising of gas prices.    While companies are finding it pocket savvy to outsource some of their operations, Americans are feeling the pressure as more jobs are lost.    Wanting to advance their business is a prime reason for companies to outsource.     

Some of the positives to outsourcing would be that companies are able to focus on the important aspects of the business while outsourcing some of the operational tasks.     Again, it can be cost beneficial to the company as well, this alone could be the deciding factor.     If the jobs are outsourced within the U.S. then this would be beneficial in the creation of more jobs.

Some of the negatives could be the language barrier.   If a company is outsourcing part of their operation oversees there could be the issue of a breakdown in communication.      Another negative would be the loss of jobs within the company.

Most recently State Street Bank cut 558 positions within the company targeting their IT operations as part of a restructuring process.    I have included the article explaining the details.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/07/19/state_street_corp_to_trim_558_jobs_in_mass/

Has anyone seen my paperboy?

The image of your mom and/or dad walking out into the driveway with their robe on, coffee in hand and going to get the morning paper is fading fast.    For some, as an adolescent your first job began as a paperboy/girl.    This is where you would have had your first experience with time management, handling large sums of money and learning what it truly meant when someone told you “the customer is always right”.      Most likely the paper you were delivering would be the local news.  The Wall Street Journal was considered a paper read only by top executives.   “In 2005, the Journal reported a readership profile of about 60 percent top management, an average income of $191,000, an average household net worth of $2.1 million, and an average age of 55”.^[

 The Wall Street Journal Online began in 1996.  With regard to circulation, the WSJ is the largest newspaper in the United States.  “The Journal primarily covers American economic and international business topics, and financial news and issues”.   As an individual subscribing to the Journal, it can be quite pricey.    Most people who do read the paper version are doing so because the company they are working for has purchased a subscription.    By 2004 the Journal purchased an application that would allow readers to access the paper by phone.     The Wall Street Journal is a smart read and highly recommended and can now be access for free with some limitations.    I have included a link below explaining how this can be done.

http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-read-the-wsj-for-free-online-2009-6

Camp Techie

This past weekend we brought our son to an overnight Camp in New Hampshire .    As Sam was getting himself checked in for his third season at Camp I grabbed a copy of the Camp newsletter to pass the time.  

As I began to read, I came upon an article called “Remembering Ken Olsen”.    Oftentimes the newsletter will highlight former campers who have recently passed away.   This was no exception, however, reading further I found that Mr. Olsen was co-founder and president of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC).   “Digital Equipment Corporation was an American company in the computer industry and a leading vendor of computer systems, software and peripherals from the 1960s to the 1990s”.    DEC’s computers were famous for “bridging the gap” between the “gymnasium sized computers of previous generations and the home computers of the 1990’s”.

Digital Equipment’s headquarters were located in Maynard, Massachusetts.  In 1998 DEC was acquired by Compaq and eventually merged with Hewlett-Packard.    DEC’s leader, Ken Olsen, was known for being an innovator, technician and philanthropist.        

Ken Olsen was the kind of philanthropist who never sought recognition.    His generous donation of land to Camp Brookwoods is now the home of Moose River Outpost.     

Ironically Camp Brookwoods does not allow campers to bring cell phones and/or computers with them to Camp.   Instead you are required to communicate with your camper the old fashion way, via pen and paper, however, you can email or check out what’s happening via live webcam shots.    

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Equipment_Corporation

http://www.christiancamps.net/site/moose_river_outpost.html

The Boss

I came across a television program on New England Cable Network (NECN) titled “The Boss: the Power Behind the Brands You Love”.    I have to say I believe this is one of the better shows on television.    It appears to be a spin-off of the already popular show Undercover Boss, however, this particular show spotlights local businesses in Massachusetts.

On last night’s program the highlighted business was Nashoba Valley Ski Resort located in Westford, MA.    There were four co-founders of the company/resort one being Al Fletcher.    The Fletcher family has owned the property since 1963.    It was Al’s vision that began the creation of a local ski attraction very popular to Massachusetts residents and beyond.

What attracted me to this show was how they bring you back to the beginnings of the company, the vision, and what technology has done to not only keep the business alive but also make it the success it is today.     For the first 15 years Nashoba Valley was constantly on the verge of bankruptcy.     Due to the technological advances available later on (e.g. snow making machines), they were able to move away from the threat of bankruptcy and become the success they are today.

Next week’s highlight will be the “Life is Good” company.   I highly recommend this show.     I have attached a clip of next week’s show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBFghzAXhMk