7 Things Leaders Can Learn From Super Bowl XLIV

I am not a big Colts or Saints fan. I am a New Yorker after all. However, I secretly rooted for the Saints to win since they were clearly the underdog and city of New Orleans needed a win. Drew Brees worked his magic and the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV.

I always found the Super Bowl to be a slight let down when it comes to the game-two great teams on the field, but only playing conservatively. There are no chances, no risks being taken. What fun is that? I would think that in the last (and most important game) there is “no-holds-barred” attitude and the playbook is thrown out the window.

This was the game big chances were taken.  Drew Brees said, “That’s the type of team we are. We play with a very aggressive mentality. We play with a lot of confidence. We came to this game knowing we had to play loose and take a chance in order to win.”

As leaders, what can we learn for XLIV?

1. Calculated risks can pay off huge dividends.
2. If you have the attitude you are going to win, then chances are you are going to win.
3. Confidence is the key success.
4. Your team needs to share your vision.
5. There is a time and place to being aggressive.
6. There are no prizes for second place.
7. Victory is given to those that hunger for it.

Data Storage – The Monster in the Enterprise

From the earliest days of the PC to today, data storage has always been a problem for most firms.  Most CIOs decide to just buy bigger hard drives to deal with the huge volumes of data. This is not necessarily the right answer. Data storage in the enterprise should be analyzed from all angles, not just to find answers in hardware, software and technology, but also to find a solution in the management of data.

I must admit I too have struggled with data storage. It’s continued growth, archiving, management and support of gigabytes and gigabytes of data became a problem that needed to be addressed and a long-term solution developed.

I approached data storage requirements by first developing a corporate storage policy. Analyze your environment to determine what you want and what you need. Establish what type of information you have and what the value of that information is for your business. Then determine what information is most critical to the business because that will determine storage and retrieval requirements.

Establish three levels:

1. Mission-critical data that is used regularly and on a daily basis. This tier requires fast backup and recovery times and the most expensive hardware, such as SATA or SCSI disk arrays.
2. Data that doesn’t need to be accessed that often and is not mission-critical. This data, however, still needs to be stored on disk, such as slower, less expensive ATA disk arrays.
3. Data that needs to be archived, and most likely only be retrieved in cases of emergencies.

Establishing levels ties in with your information lifecycle management (ILM) process. , ILM allows you to analyze your data, to determine how critical it is and then allocate it to either fast and more expensive SATA disk, slower, less expensive ATA disk, or to magnetic tape.

Legislation and corporate governance issues will affect your data storage requirements. In some companies it will determine storage needs requirements. Legislation such as the Sarbanes Oxley Act (SOX), Basel II, the King report, Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), as well as legislation, such as the ECT and Companies Acts. Not complying with these regulations can be a problem for you and your company. These regulations specify what data must be retained, whether it can be changed, and for how long it must be retained.

There are plenty of articles and white papers on the net about solutions. For those of you struggling with your data storage needs it might be time to do some research and figure out a solution that will work for you both in the near-term and long-term.

ReBoot: Avatar: The Next Page in Filmmaking Tech

It’s Friday…

By now most of us have seen James Cameron’s Avatar and marveled at his creation. Avatar proved that you could have a 100% virtual world and have it be 100% believable. If movies like this continue the need for live action will be a thing of the past. Or so we hope.

As a technologist, I marveled about what it took Mr. Cameron to get this film made. The technology behind Avatar must have been mind-boggling. Some facts I read: creating the virtual world required over a petabyte of digital storage. The final footage for Avatar occupied 17.28 gigabytes of storage per minute. Those numbers can give any server administrator a heart attack.

John Roth wrote an excellent piece on the data center requirements behind Avatar.

The Data-Crunching Powerhouse Behind ‘Avatar’

In addition, here is a great article on the technology behind Avatar.

Behind Avatar: Science, Technology, Art and Design

CIO Blogs from January 2010

A New Year, a New Decade. Here are links to blog postings that are worth reading this month:

CIO: Don’t square up to the CFO by Ade McCormack

Does the CIO Control IT Spending? by Chris Curran

Must-read books on the human factors of IT — part 1, the 70s by Peter Kretzman

Very funny, Mr. Magoo by Don Lewis

I hate consultants by Eric D. Brown

Does the CIO Need to be a Visionary to be Successful? by IT BS Watch

Is Twitter Dying? – An Update by Mike Schaffner

Is It Time To Say Goodbye To The CIO? by Jim Anderson

Where Is The Loyalty?

Leadership is a two-way street, loyalty up and loyalty down. Respect for one’s superiors; care for one’s crew. -Grace Murray Hopper

Loyalty, allegiance, fidelity are words that all imply a sense of duty or devoted attachment to one’s country, creed, family, friends, etc. Are people still loyal today – especially in the workplace?

I have been speaking to several managers recently, and they all mentioned that there seems to be a sense of a lack of loyalty in today’s workplace. Why should there be one? Corporate America has changed and has really changed over the last year – massive layoffs, cutbacks, unemployment, etc., etc. The camaraderie of co-workers and the belief one’s work was making a difference in the organization has gone by the wayside.  People are working just to survive and are constantly worried about loosing their jobs. It becomes a stressful environment.

The question, “How do you build loyalty in today’s workplace?” The answer comes down to simple communication—both what you communicate and how you do it. Communicate in both directions, both up and down the chain of command — though it takes slightly different forms depending on which direction it’s focused. Communicate in real time, in person, and above all else be truthful.

In fact, the more you communicate with people, the more trusting and loyal they will be to you. Remember, your job as a manager is to ignite the passion of your staff. You cannot do that without communication.

ReBoot: On the Fringe

It’s Friday…

Okay, I’m a geek. I admit it. I grew up watching Start Trek and Star Wars and love all things techie. One of my favorite shows to watch growing up were reruns of The Twilight Zone. Who can forget the fear you faced when you first saw “Nightmare At 20000 Feet” and the gremlin appearing in the window. Looking back, the special effects were a little hokey but when I was a kid it scared me to death.

I then became a fan boy of X-Files and the adventures of Mulder and Scully. I got really into it especially regarding the aliens and conspiracies. It made for good television. In the end, it got a little tiresome. The plots became unbelievable even for me and I think the show had over stayed it’s welcome in the end.

Now Fox has Fringe (http://www.fox.com/fringe/index.htm). Similar to X-Files and TZ, Fringe explores the unexplained phenomena and terrifying occurrences linked throughout the world – known simply as “The Pattern”. Similar to X-Files, the characters are in pursuit of a larger, more shocking truth. Through unconventional and unorthodox methods, the FRINGE team imagines and tests the impossibilities while investigating unbelievable events, macabre crimes, and mystifying cases involving pyrokinesis, neuroscience, cryonics, genetic engineering, astral projection, and other fantastical theories. When the unimaginable happens, it’s their job to stop it.

Of course the FBI is involved again. I am not sure why the FBI is the only department that gets involved in strange happenings throughout the country and not some other department.  Maybe someone could fill me in on that?

Fringe is the X-Files for a new generation of viewers who want to understand the science or the possibility of the science behind strange events.

Let’s see if Fox can keep us glued to episodes. So far they are doing a good job. Even my wife likes to watch episodes and finds the characters and plots interesting.

An Apple A Day…

Today (January 27), Apple will be having its much-hyped media event. Over the last few days the net has been a flurry of gossip, leaked photos, and unofficially Apple executive quotes. What is a fan boy to do with all this info? It just makes me giddy…

I must admit, I always look forward to such events from Apple. It is like watching something being created and you are there to take part in the excitement and oohh and aahh over it.

Today, if rumors are true, Apple will be announcing the much anticipated and secretive “iPad” from Apple’s skunkworks.

Something new to add to my Christmas list this year. If the blogs are true, this device will revolutionize publishing, as we know it. I hope so, this industry needs to have a shot in the arm to revive it. I personally don’t read newspapers anymore but do so online on my iPhone. A device that has a bigger screen will be so helpful.

I am going to wait a few months to see how things shake out similar to how I migrated to the iPhone. I am a second-generation kinda guy. I believe in letting others shake the bugs out before I jump on board. And besides, if this takes off, the second gen model will have vastly better features. Just wait and see.

There is also talk that additional carriers for the iPhone will be announced. I think that is great. I believe in competition. I pay vastly too much for my cell service now and the quality of service is just ok.

So we will see what Apple has up their sleeves.

http://www.macrumors.com

Self-Confidence – in – Chief

I was watching a television show the other night about a young man who wanted to be a standup comedian. He got on stage and did his routine (as bad as it was) but soon realized that he lacked the self-confidence to be a comedian.

I realized that for any job: comedian, doctor, or chief, a certain level of self-confidence is required to be successful.

Great leaders have a strong presence and bearing. They are unflappable people that never let you see them sweat. Everything from how they carry themselves to how they speak and dress ooze self-confidence.

How does a chief become self-confident?

1. Learn you are not perfect. There are never right or wrong answers to complex business decisions. The best that you can do as a leader is to gather all of the information you can, do a cost-benefit analysis of potential options, use your best judgment-and then make a decision.
2. Commit. (I learned this on the golf course.) Commit and go for it. Don’t second-guess yourself. Believe in what you are doing and with positive expectations toward the achievement of your vision.
3. Failure is always a possibility. You are going to make mistakes. Learn from them and move on–don’t dwell on them.
4. Put on a brave front even though you are scared on the inside. Everyone can be afraid at times. If you are a leader, your direct reports will read this. If you show a lack of courage, you will begin to damage your employees’ self-confidence.
5. Find happiness and contentment in your work. Do the best you can. Follow your heart. When you win, celebrate. When you lose, just start over the next day.

ReBoot: Ever Have An Off Day?

It’s Friday…

Have you ever had an off day? A Day when nothing seems to go right? I had one, earlier this week. Maybe I got up on the wrong side of the bed or my stars were out of alignment. I don’t really know…

My Tuesday started like any other day. I woke up around 6 and watch CNN for a little bit. I was feeling a little strange, like I was someplace else. I passed it off to the morning shock of waking up.

I went to make breakfast and started dropping things on the floor: a butter knife, a plastic bowl, and my bagel. Nothing broken but too many things falling. I still couldn’t shake that feeling; maybe I needed a cup of coffee.

I had to see a friend that morning. So I got in my car and headed to his home. On my way there, I had to hit the brakes a few times to stop quickly. I had a hard time focusing. So I drove below the speed limit and kept several cars lengths between the next car and me.

While there I was having a hard time setting up his computer. Pretty routine stuff for me but I just had to focus really hard. The feeling of not really being there was just weighing on me now.

On my way back home, I again had to slam on the brakes as I barely missed being involved in a three-car accident. This was too much for me. What was happening?

As I made dinner that night, again I was dropping things: a spoon, a plate, and my fork and this time I spilled my drink. That was the final straw. I decided to call it a day and head to bed.

Strange. Bizarre. Twilight Zone-ish. Who knows? Maybe I was some place else…or it was just all in my mind. I think I just needed a reboot.

The Near Perfect CEO

Have you ever wondered what qualities make for a “perfect” CEO? Here are two lists that describe the qualities that make for a near perfect CEO.

22 Traits of a Perfect CEO

1. Secure in Self
2. In control of attitude
3. Tenacious
4. Constantly Improving
5. Honest and Ethical
6. Thinking before talking
7. Original
8. Publicly modest
9. Aware of style
10. Gutsy/a little wild
11. Humorous
12. A tad theatrical
13. Detail oriented
14. Good at their job and willing to lead
15. Fighters for their people
16. Willing to admit mistakes, yet are unapologetic
17. Straightforward
18. Nice
19. Inquisitive
20. Competitive
21. Flexible
22. Good storytellers

How To Think Like a CEO by D.A. Benton

In addition, Robert Beauchemin (http://executive4sight.com) wrote a great piece on the “Personal Characteristics of a Great CEO”. In this article, Robert does a great job of describing 14 uncommon personal characteristics for a CEO.

1. Stamina
2. Educated
3. Visioning
4. Listening
5. An eye for talent
6. Passion
7. Discipline
8. Communications
9. Follow through
10. Technical, Selling and Leadership
11. Controlled Emotions
12. Adaptability
13. Level 5 Leadership
14. Ethics

Dents in the Armor: Why the Chief is Not Perfect

We often equate people in power with perfection- super-humans who can do it all. They have to be if they are going to lead others? Yes, as mere mortals we assume that the CEOs of corporations or the presidents of governments to be infallible – almost god like.

This is not necessarily the case. They are imperfect creatures that make mistakes.

There are many reasons why our chiefs are not perfect: politics, bad measurement systems, and even the job itself can be part of the problem. Perfection is a difficult attribute to obtain especially in corporations and governments. These environments are constantly changing and moving. We are imperfect people working for imperfect institutions—we all know this fact.

Why should we have perfect chiefs? As a leader, if you want people to willingly follow you, you have to be honest about who you are and the mistakes that you make. Imperfections make for far more interesting leaders. If a chief can admit mistakes, correct them, and move on, the people they lead become empowered to take risks, make mistakes, admit them, change, and grow.

An imperfect chief brings humility, humanity, and flexibility to the table. Should we not embrace our imperfections?

ReBoot: Global Database

It’s Friday…

I was watching an interesting sci-fi movie the other day. The plot was a little weird but they were doing something that I thought was interesting – using a global database.

Quick plot summary: scientist’s daughter dies in freak accident. Her “consciousness” lives in a virtual reality world made up of information from databases that are pulled together to form a virtual daughter with all her memories and emotions. Scientist tries to pull this consciousness into a robot but fails, etc., etc., etc. sci-fi mayhem ensues…

If you think about how much data about us reside on the Internet right now. Our lives, to some extent, are already virtual. Our data sit in various isolated datacenters, servers and databases throughout the world. While this information cannot form virtual copies or ourselves, what if we could gather this information in a central location-a central global database? Of course the tech people are saying, security, identity theft, who has access, will all need to be addressed. Of course these questions will have to be debated and sound solutions developed. Such a solution will not come in our generation or our children’s generation.

But think about the benefits of such a database…