I attended the MFG4 Manufacturing Conference in Hartford this past week. This one was put on by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). I really love technical conferences as I always go with an open mind and no agenda and just 'be' at these things. Don't get me wrong, I definitely have a plan on what I'm going to do when I'm there BUT I find there is a kind of 'free-flowing' interaction that occurs at these events that rarely happens anywhere else.
The various technical presentations and conversations I had with the people I met at the conference got me thinking about how much information we get exposed to and what to do with it all. Well, create a Library of course! But not just any library, this one is digital and can be tagged & indexed, and is searchable so you can find all the information again when you need it.
Over the years, I've created a library of useful 'stuff' that I've found has served me extremely well in providing useful (technology) tools for my clients and our development teams when a particular need arises. In fact, I will go on to say that this is one of our PRIMARY assets because it allows us to be flexible and agile when we have to be. The key here is get into the habit of 'acquiring' technology, but not actually 'buying' it until you need it. Anything of value gets checked into your library and stays there until a need arises. Eventually, your library becomes a powerful suite of tools that you will use over and over again, and because you are constantly adding to this, will get even better over time.
Top Tools for Creating your (Digital) Library (not presented in any specific ranked order here):
1. Evernote - I absolutely LOVE this tool, and I could write a whole post on this (which I will), but enough to say that this single, seemingly simple application, has changed the entire way I write, store, and archive my information. It allows you to write simple notes/entries into various notebooks, but gives you a very powerful base to form a library of information. Exactly what the doctor ordered!
2. Delicious.com - Online bookmarks storing and sharing
3. Dropbox - Online file storage, with folder sharing and accessible from ANYWHERE you are.
4. Remember the Milk (yes it really is called that...) - Online tasklist storage, list sharing and accessible from ANYWHERE you are.
... and oh yes, ALL of these tools are offered for FREE!
Happy Archiving!
-- Jason
Useful ideas on technology, innovation, and how to make sense of it all.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Technology "Haves" vs. "Have Nots" - What's the difference?
I had breakfast with a colleague this past week and he was telling me all about the amazing wonders of his new iPhone and how he wishes he had bought one sooner. He was still very new to the technology and admitted feeling very overwhelmed about how much this (simple?) tool was changing how he saw his world.
It got me thinking about the world we work in sometimes feels like there are people who are "in the know" about technology - the technology "Haves". Then there are people like my friend where the technology is very overwhelming and they don't feel quite comfortable with what they are doing - the technology "Have Nots". We generally know what world we live in... but do we really?
Even as a technology professional, I often feel like I am a technology "Have Not" because there is SO much out there TO know. The more we learn, the more there is to know and overwhelm us. I've learned a great trick over the years that makes me feel better EVERY time and it is the simple truth that you have to "get comfortable with uncomfortable" in regards to technology. There is ALWAYS going to be more to learn and more to go deeper into with any technology you start to learn about. The other idea I find very helpful is that there is no time limit or 'race' to learn and absorb all this stuff. Whatever works for you at your own pace is perfectly the right way to go. Of course, the more you know, the easier it gets and the faster the learning becomes... then technology really starts to be 'fun'. It might take a while to get there, but believe me, it happens.
So this brings me to my top 3 revelations on how to be a Technology 'Have'
1) Dive In. -- There is never a better time to start learning about technology and all the benefits it has to offer. This is true of companies as well as individuals. Many of us are wary of putting in newer technologies in our companies because we're comfortable with what we know... OR we don't even know what's out there to help us. The reality is that there has never been so much available to us for so little (often FREE) and has tremendous benefits to those that use them.
2) Invest in Continuous Improvement -- My manufacturing clients talk at length about 'continuous improvement' in operations, but why not in technology? Technology moves fast and while you will never use everything you see and hear, it pays to be knowledgeable about what's out there so you can decide what would work for you and your company. This is definitely an investment in your time and energy, but SO worth it. Publications like 'Wired' magazine are a great resource for these newest trends out there.
3) Reach Out -- The technology community (local, regional, or national) is a great wealth of knowledge on what the latest and greatest tech can do for small business. As a tech pro myself, I know that I will NEVER know all there is to know about a certain field and I constantly reach out to other pros to share ideas, advice, and just plain get some better understanding. I think many of us have this feeling that we want to do (or learn) it all by ourselves, but really, no-one gets a medal for doing that! Your local chamber or technology group is a GREAT resource and I highly encourage you to attend their meetings and reach out to them for what you want to know.
-- Jason
It got me thinking about the world we work in sometimes feels like there are people who are "in the know" about technology - the technology "Haves". Then there are people like my friend where the technology is very overwhelming and they don't feel quite comfortable with what they are doing - the technology "Have Nots". We generally know what world we live in... but do we really?
Even as a technology professional, I often feel like I am a technology "Have Not" because there is SO much out there TO know. The more we learn, the more there is to know and overwhelm us. I've learned a great trick over the years that makes me feel better EVERY time and it is the simple truth that you have to "get comfortable with uncomfortable" in regards to technology. There is ALWAYS going to be more to learn and more to go deeper into with any technology you start to learn about. The other idea I find very helpful is that there is no time limit or 'race' to learn and absorb all this stuff. Whatever works for you at your own pace is perfectly the right way to go. Of course, the more you know, the easier it gets and the faster the learning becomes... then technology really starts to be 'fun'. It might take a while to get there, but believe me, it happens.
So this brings me to my top 3 revelations on how to be a Technology 'Have'
1) Dive In. -- There is never a better time to start learning about technology and all the benefits it has to offer. This is true of companies as well as individuals. Many of us are wary of putting in newer technologies in our companies because we're comfortable with what we know... OR we don't even know what's out there to help us. The reality is that there has never been so much available to us for so little (often FREE) and has tremendous benefits to those that use them.
2) Invest in Continuous Improvement -- My manufacturing clients talk at length about 'continuous improvement' in operations, but why not in technology? Technology moves fast and while you will never use everything you see and hear, it pays to be knowledgeable about what's out there so you can decide what would work for you and your company. This is definitely an investment in your time and energy, but SO worth it. Publications like 'Wired' magazine are a great resource for these newest trends out there.
3) Reach Out -- The technology community (local, regional, or national) is a great wealth of knowledge on what the latest and greatest tech can do for small business. As a tech pro myself, I know that I will NEVER know all there is to know about a certain field and I constantly reach out to other pros to share ideas, advice, and just plain get some better understanding. I think many of us have this feeling that we want to do (or learn) it all by ourselves, but really, no-one gets a medal for doing that! Your local chamber or technology group is a GREAT resource and I highly encourage you to attend their meetings and reach out to them for what you want to know.
-- Jason
Sunday, April 29, 2012
How to use twitter for small business!
A few weeks ago I had the awesome opportunity to speak on Jeffrey Sherman's radio show: The Business Buzz (http://www.jeffreyshermanbusinessbuzz.com) about using twitter for small business. If you're interested in hearing a recording of the show, I will be posting a link to the audio recording as soon as Jeff updates his site... Stay Tuned!
-----------------------
OK, for those who can't wait... a description of what we talked about:
There are SO many new technologies out there and techies like myself can't resist the urge to try them out. Once the shiny-allure wears off however, we lose interest and move on to the next best thing. When I first saw twitter, I must admit that I had a strong feeling that this was going to be another 'fad' that would pass on, but to my surprise it hasn't. It's here to stay and in a big way.
First of all, what is it? Twitter is an online software program that lets you send out little 140 character messages called 'tweets'. If someone is 'following' you, it allows them to see and read what you 'tweet'. It's also referred to as 'micro-blogging' for these reasons.
It gets a bad rap because many people use the tool inappropriately... You hear stories about people tweeting 'I just ate a cheeseburger!', or 'I'm in the bathroom!', and if you're thinking 'who cares?', you're right. The reality is that this tool is GREAT for updating people who have a genuine interest in what you're talking about, what might be going on around you, or most importantly, what your company is offering!
How to use twitter for small business:
If you run a small business, you know how important it is to market yourself. If no-one knows what you do, no-one will know how great your company is. A good marketing strategy is just that. A strategy. You might decide to do print advertising, cold calls, letter campaigns, etc. Twitter is just one more component in your overall strategy, but as I personally stress to all my clients, it is only ONE component of something larger you do to market yourself.
OK, so here are my top 3 (super-secret) things you need to know when twittering for small business!
1) Make it Relevant -- Say something you think your customers will respond to. If you run a service business, you could use twitter to post your daily/monthly specials. If you're a consultant, you can talk about some recent work you did that you're proud of (as it may relate to similar problems your other customers have).
2) Make it Timely -- How often you say something can sometimes be just as important as what you say. Don't make a habit of tweeting too often or your message will just get lost in 'noise'. You have to be the judge of how often is too often for your specific company, but tweeting even as little as once/week isn't bad if you are sending out smart, relevant messages in your tweets.
3) Make it Useful -- Many times our marketing messages sound just like that... marketing. Our customers aren't dumb and if all you send out is the company monthly sales pitch, that too, will sound like noise after awhile. Mix it up a little. Send out messages that can educate as well as show off how great your company is. For example, if you're in the roofing business you could tweet: "The top 10 things every homeowner should know about their roof!" and include a link to a (larger) article you post on your website. Links like this will do WONDERS for your website traffic too!
Getting started is EXTREMELY easy. You can create your own twitter account for you or your company for free at: http://www.twitter.com. Happy tweeting!
-- Jason
-----------------------
OK, for those who can't wait... a description of what we talked about:
There are SO many new technologies out there and techies like myself can't resist the urge to try them out. Once the shiny-allure wears off however, we lose interest and move on to the next best thing. When I first saw twitter, I must admit that I had a strong feeling that this was going to be another 'fad' that would pass on, but to my surprise it hasn't. It's here to stay and in a big way.
First of all, what is it? Twitter is an online software program that lets you send out little 140 character messages called 'tweets'. If someone is 'following' you, it allows them to see and read what you 'tweet'. It's also referred to as 'micro-blogging' for these reasons.
It gets a bad rap because many people use the tool inappropriately... You hear stories about people tweeting 'I just ate a cheeseburger!', or 'I'm in the bathroom!', and if you're thinking 'who cares?', you're right. The reality is that this tool is GREAT for updating people who have a genuine interest in what you're talking about, what might be going on around you, or most importantly, what your company is offering!
How to use twitter for small business:
If you run a small business, you know how important it is to market yourself. If no-one knows what you do, no-one will know how great your company is. A good marketing strategy is just that. A strategy. You might decide to do print advertising, cold calls, letter campaigns, etc. Twitter is just one more component in your overall strategy, but as I personally stress to all my clients, it is only ONE component of something larger you do to market yourself.
OK, so here are my top 3 (super-secret) things you need to know when twittering for small business!
1) Make it Relevant -- Say something you think your customers will respond to. If you run a service business, you could use twitter to post your daily/monthly specials. If you're a consultant, you can talk about some recent work you did that you're proud of (as it may relate to similar problems your other customers have).
2) Make it Timely -- How often you say something can sometimes be just as important as what you say. Don't make a habit of tweeting too often or your message will just get lost in 'noise'. You have to be the judge of how often is too often for your specific company, but tweeting even as little as once/week isn't bad if you are sending out smart, relevant messages in your tweets.
3) Make it Useful -- Many times our marketing messages sound just like that... marketing. Our customers aren't dumb and if all you send out is the company monthly sales pitch, that too, will sound like noise after awhile. Mix it up a little. Send out messages that can educate as well as show off how great your company is. For example, if you're in the roofing business you could tweet: "The top 10 things every homeowner should know about their roof!" and include a link to a (larger) article you post on your website. Links like this will do WONDERS for your website traffic too!
Getting started is EXTREMELY easy. You can create your own twitter account for you or your company for free at: http://www.twitter.com. Happy tweeting!
-- Jason
Sunday, April 22, 2012
The Stream of Consciousness Starts Now!
Welcome to our new blog! I've been meaning to create a blogsite for quite a few years now and finally decided to stop thinking about it actually do it! I'm very opinionated (aren't we all...) about all things technologic and rather than keep these great ideas to myself, wanted to share all the great stuff I've found and how to use them! :)
This blog is all about technology. Not just websites and databases (which are pretty cool, mind you), but ALL things technology and how they affect us in our businesses and personal lives. If you're like me and most small business owners, that's pretty much the same thing...
So, just sit back and enjoy the ride / show / </rant> !
-- Jason
This blog is all about technology. Not just websites and databases (which are pretty cool, mind you), but ALL things technology and how they affect us in our businesses and personal lives. If you're like me and most small business owners, that's pretty much the same thing...
So, just sit back and enjoy the ride / show / </rant> !
-- Jason
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