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Whether you like the Cowboys, or not, one thing we can probably all agree about is that old white dudes shouldn't rap too often. At least that's what my kids tell me when I try it.
Apparently, Hip Hop Jerry Jones (owner of the Dallas Cowboys) didn't get the memo.
Here is the video.
If you can't bring yourself to click the link, here is an animated image to give you some flavor.
If you're curious, you can discover the meaning of Rap lyrics With RapGenius. Now there is a real public service ...
One year ago, on August 24, 2011, Apple announced the resignation of Steve Jobs as CEO and named Tim Cook his successor. Questions as to whether Apple would continue to thrive without its iconic CEO Jobs immediately surfaced.
One year later, it can be said that Tim Cook did a very good job, given the enormous footsteps he had to fill. During his first year as CEO, Apple’s stock price climbed 77 percent and Apple became the most valuable company in the world.
Interestingly, in the first 12 months after Steve Jobs had been named interim CEO of Apple in September 1997, Apple’s stock also soared more than 70 percent. The obvious difference being that Apple was on the verge of bankruptcy in 1997 and Jobs managed to turn the company around.
Tim Cook didn’t need to turn anything around but he managed to keep the company where it was when he took over: on top. That’s not too bad an accomplishment to start with.
Further, the big patent case win will shape the competitive landscape for years to come ... onward.
After
doing some research, we found a tool called "Time Doctor". It sends daily reports to workers (and
their managers) of current tasks and the time log for the previous day.
This software also tracks web sites visited and applications used. As you might hope, if someone seems to be spending too much time on “distracting” sites like YouTube or Facebook, it “nudges” them by asking whether or not they are still working. Likewise, after a period of inactivity, Time Doctor will ask whether or not that time was spent working.
It is worth noting that Time Doctor does these things automatically, with minimal disruption or effort.
The application consists of a desktop component which connects with a server and provides reports to management via e-mail (or a website). That means it works great even when people are in different locations.
You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure.
With that said, collecting data is different than gaining insights from data. For example, Time Doctor helped us figure-out what the chunks (or sub-projects) really looked like at the work level; this allowed us to name and right-size them at the planning level.
In addition, employees can gain insights about how they actually spend their day compared to how they planned to spend their day. Likewise, this data is useful at planning sessions to ensure that we actually do the things we said we were going to do -- and that people are working on doing what is necessary for “success” in their job.
When someone is working too long -- that may show effort; but you don't necessarily want people working harder. It is an opportunity to discuss delegating, automating, or just saying "no" to certain things. With growth, many projects become possible. As a team, you have to be careful with your choice of which ones get scarce resources (your time, machine cycles, etc.). Your choice to do something often means a corresponding choice not to do something else. That choice should be conscious.
Time Doctor creates an opportunity to do more than just say "No" to a task ... Instead, it can be the catalyst to re-direct that work to a different resource. Something that would cause overflow for someone might be a career upgrade or great opportunity for someone else.
What Are You Trying to Improve?
A tool like Time Doctor is not a replacement for assessing someone's actual work output, yet, it’s a very powerful tool to get extra data points. For example, you can find-out how many hours someone has been working, who they have been collaborating with, and whether they are in front of a computer or a customer?
Right out of the box, Time Doctor does what it's supposed to do. Nonetheless, if you want to get more out of it, you have to have the right intent.
Simply seeing a list of the tasks and activities that people work on throughout the day is useful. However, using that information to time when you talk with them, or help coach them to spend time on higher priority items is when you are actively managing and adding value, rather than simply data tracking.
So check out Time Doctor. It is an effective productivity and management tool for your team. Used properly, it will help you mark good management practice and encourage your team to a higher standard of performance and participation.
Traders know risk control is important.
Apparently, the Royals are learning new rules for the Internet Age.
Perhaps Prince Harry assumed that "What Happens In Vegas, Stays in Vegas" ... unless TMZ gets it.
Here are some of the posts that caught my eye. Hope you find something interesting.
Michael Covel is the President TrendFollowing.com and TurtleTrader.com. His first book was "Trend Following: Learn to Make Millions in Up or Down Markets". His second book "The Complete TurtleTrader" is the only narrative account of trader Richard Dennis and his student traders nicknamed the 'Turtles'. His newest books are "Trend Commandments" and "The Little Book of Trading". Covel's first film documentary is "Broke: The New American Dream".
In addition, he has been talking with great traders and thought leaders about a wide range of topics. I'm honored that he chose to talk with me last week. Here is a link to the Interview.
Our interview was fun and fast-paced.
We talk about the business of systematically finding edges through all sorts of different approaches - not only trend following. I like to think of it as finding more ways to win.
And we talk about a broader range of topics as well. For example, we discuss the "E-gene", and how entrepreneurism is at the core of what we practice.
Other topics include:
We also discuss the importance of the world outside America, and which area both of us agree is important to keep an eye on.
There is a lot of good stuff in the interview. Hope you enjoy it.
Here is my review of Trend Following and the post I did on Trend Commandments.
See the list of all Covel's Trend Following Manifesto Podcasts in iTunes and here for a more complete description of each recording. Check it out; he has produced a bunch of terrific interviews that are worth listening to because of their educational content, and because they will make you think.
Here are some of the posts that caught my eye. Hope you find something interesting.
Check-out Vizify if you want to see an interactive infographic all about you, your online activity and personal interests.
It was fast, easy, and fun to create -- and customizable enough that the result was better than expected. See for yourself.
via Vizify
It uses data from social media sites, so you don't have to type. Very clever.
Click here to have Vizify create an interactive infographic about you.
Irony: The First Real Flying Saucer is from Earth and Lands on Mars
Sometimes you need a little caffeine boost.
Well, I heard about Sheets energy strips, which are a dissolvable energy-supplement, and figured I'd give them a try.
Each sheet is the equivalent of half a cup of coffe, with some vitamins and nutrients added for good measure.
They are distinctive because they are paper-thin, individually wrapped, dissolvable strips. No pills. No liquids. No sugar. No calories.
I watch programmers down Red Bull, Monster, Bawls, and Five Hour Energy ... yet, somehow, I know that isn't for me.
Energy Sheets are more subtle than that. They provide a quick and convenient energy boost without the sugar crash. And they work and taste good enough that I now keep a few in my back pocket and computer bag so they are there when I need them.
They also have sleep-time product called Sleep Sheets. It is honey flavored with melatonin and extracts from goji berry and chamomile — which are natural ingredients purported to induce restful sleep.
All-in-all, worth a try.
The Debt Clock - A Grown-up Version of "This Isn't Going to End Well"
Have you ever seen a funny photo that was captured just before a "something bad" happens? The tag-line is usually something like ... "This isn't going to end well". Here's an example.
The photo is funny unless you're the guy about need a dentist.
In related news, a giant debt clock was featured at the Republican Convention. Why? To capture the moment our national debt crosses the $16 Trillion dollar level.
To give you some context for this issue, here is an interactive U.S. Debt Clock.
Click the picture and you'll see a version that updates in real-time. There are a number of very cool features and facts (including a "time machine" to rewind the clock to a prior date, so you can compare what happened since then).
Sure hope revenues exceed spending soon ... otherwise this isn't going to end well?
Posted at 09:15 AM in Current Affairs, Ideas, Market Commentary, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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