I was on one of those calls this afternoon where there was an obvious misalignment in language. I think of users as the ones who use a tool. The other person on the call was talking about users in terms of leaders (who haven't actually used the tool in many respects) but are the champions for the tool.
Interesting.
My stakeholders are the users who email me saying "XYZ really bites and needs some serious help" and "I can't get ABC to work - help?"
I need to sometimes get my head out of the help me email box and remember that I need to be able to speak the stakeholder language, too, and not just be the voice of the user.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Coaching and virtual networking - Resources?
I'm thinking about the bridge between my persona(s) online and those I have when I meet people at "networking" events. I don't know about you, but networking was never something that comes really easy to me. I have to play little games with myself (meet 5 people you didn't know at this meeting, look 3 people in the eye and tell them about myself, etc.) What skills would novice social networking participants need inside the firewall?
With social networking becoming more and more ubiquitous inside the firewall, how are companies training & educating employees on how to use these tools - and I don't mean the mechanics of "remember to hit save after you update your profile" but things more like - here are some ways introduce yourself in the "about me" part of your profile, and list some of the areas you are interested in working in the future, find others in your company who are doing what you might like to do and introduce yourself to them, etc.
Do traditional networking skills still apply, or do we need to add additional skills to make sure the social networks deployed are not only benefiting the organization by encouraging (and facilitating) connections but also providing the techniques for making it happen?
With social networking becoming more and more ubiquitous inside the firewall, how are companies training & educating employees on how to use these tools - and I don't mean the mechanics of "remember to hit save after you update your profile" but things more like - here are some ways introduce yourself in the "about me" part of your profile, and list some of the areas you are interested in working in the future, find others in your company who are doing what you might like to do and introduce yourself to them, etc.
Do traditional networking skills still apply, or do we need to add additional skills to make sure the social networks deployed are not only benefiting the organization by encouraging (and facilitating) connections but also providing the techniques for making it happen?
Skorpion & Skates.com - the Email that made me go, hunh?
Ok - for those of you who have seen that big bruise on my left knee, I'm the proud owner of a pair of Skorpions. Yes, they are cool and so am I. However, Skates.com, the good people I bought them from, just sent me an email and, while I missed their 15% off sale (curses!), I read the fine print - let's see if you can figure it out...
- Using photos of Skorpion skates. Check.
- Obligatory cleavage shot. Check - got my attention.
- Touting the green benefits of using said Skorpion skates. Check - Understood.
- What? Offer isn't good for Skorpion Skates?
Now I called Skates.com, and there was a bit of a shuffle, and I got an answer - Yes, they are allowed to promote various products in their newsletter but due to manufacturer agreements can't always include them in the offer.
Ok - then WHY not feature some other skates I could buy and save 15% off my order? They LIST Skorpion products in the email practically begging me to buy; however, my frugal self can't save that 15%.
Yes, I'm forwarding this blog post to Skates.com. I'm not a big shot but a person who is passionate about what she buys, and I was astonished at this email. Astonished that I wouldn't be savin' any green...
Saturday, May 17, 2008
My Dumpster-Diving Mama
My Mama retired a year ago - she had a hard time. She had always identified herself with her work and her job, and, without one, who was she? What was her purpose. We worried about her.
I just got off the phone with her and asked what she was up to today.
In the morning, she went on a bird watch (saw 42 species), had lunch, and then was at a construction site "dumpster diving" for a toilet that was recently switched out at the construction site.
My Mama - dumpster diving.
This is the woman who didn't like Roseanne b/c it dealt with a working class family. The woman who hated the Simpsons b/c they were "common." This is the woman who grew up in rural South Carolina, oldest of three children, whose father would drive her mother to the "washateria" and sit in the car waiting for her to finish the laundry and then drive her home.
And she spent the afternoon dumpster diving. I'm so proud of her!
Who says people can't change?
I just got off the phone with her and asked what she was up to today.
In the morning, she went on a bird watch (saw 42 species), had lunch, and then was at a construction site "dumpster diving" for a toilet that was recently switched out at the construction site.
My Mama - dumpster diving.
This is the woman who didn't like Roseanne b/c it dealt with a working class family. The woman who hated the Simpsons b/c they were "common." This is the woman who grew up in rural South Carolina, oldest of three children, whose father would drive her mother to the "washateria" and sit in the car waiting for her to finish the laundry and then drive her home.
And she spent the afternoon dumpster diving. I'm so proud of her!
Who says people can't change?
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