Ideas

  • New Version 4 of Shift Happens Video

    091025 the Getson Boys Last week I wrote that my son (and his generation) won't communicate the way we do.

    For example, he used 9,827 text messages and 564 MB of data on his phone this month.

    I'm not going to pretend that I understand how I would use that many messages … But I'm beginning to understand that he does.

    A decade ago, I couldn't have conceived the way we use trading technology today.  The scope and scale of what's possible would have seemed like an improbable science fiction plot.

    And that is the point.  Some things seem like nonsense (or magic), until they become science and way things are done.

    New Version 4 of Shift Happens Video

    Fascinating presentation of facts, stats, and insights about how technology (like the internet) has been changing the world. Some of the tech that we take for granted is now at an inflection point because of the sheer mass of late-adopters.

    It is worth watching and thinking about … as someone living in these
    changing times … and in terms of how these changing times shift the
    game and create a whole new set of opportunities.

    While similar to the post on how Social Media is changing everything … this presentation focuses on the bigger picture and has a more general business tone. 

    I like the new
    design and the added content; yet, found the music a bit distracting.

    We are moving forward more quickly than ever.  What you thought you knew about the
    economy, technology, innovation, and the world are probably
    out-of-date. I can't wait to see what comes next.

    090109 Did You Know

  • New Version 4 of Shift Happens Video

    091025 the Getson Boys Last week I wrote that my son (and his generation) won't communicate the way we do.

    For example, he used 9,827 text messages and 564 MB of data on his phone this month.

    I'm not going to pretend that I understand how I would use that many messages … But I'm beginning to understand that he does.

    A decade ago, I couldn't have conceived the way we use trading technology today.  The scope and scale of what's possible would have seemed like an improbable science fiction plot.

    And that is the point.  Some things seem like nonsense (or magic), until they become science and way things are done.

    New Version 4 of Shift Happens Video

    Fascinating presentation of facts, stats, and insights about how technology (like the internet) has been changing the world. Some of the tech that we take for granted is now at an inflection point because of the sheer mass of late-adopters.

    It is worth watching and thinking about … as someone living in these
    changing times … and in terms of how these changing times shift the
    game and create a whole new set of opportunities.

    While similar to the post on how Social Media is changing everything … this presentation focuses on the bigger picture and has a more general business tone. 

    I like the new
    design and the added content; yet, found the music a bit distracting.

    We are moving forward more quickly than ever.  What you thought you knew about the
    economy, technology, innovation, and the world are probably
    out-of-date. I can't wait to see what comes next.

    090109 Did You Know

  • Sparks of Innovation

    Here is a video reminder that a small insight can make possible radically different results.

    Was this just a proof of concept … or will it be the catalyst to more.  To some it might be little more than science fiction … to others it may have been the open door to something completely new and different.

    Thoughts Do Become Things. 

    Here is an example where a simple text-book idea really transformed lives.  And it is a good story.

    William Kamkwamba, from Malawi, is a born inventor. When he was 14, he built an electricity-producing windmill from spare parts and scrap, working from rough plans he found in a library book called "Using Energy" and modifying them to fit his needs. The windmill he built powers four lights and two radios in his family home. Now it is changing his homeland.

    Here is a link to more about William Kamkwamba and his TedTalk Videos.

    Here is a link to the book: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope.

  • Sparks of Innovation

    Here is a video reminder that a small insight can make possible radically different results.

    Was this just a proof of concept … or will it be the catalyst to more.  To some it might be little more than science fiction … to others it may have been the open door to something completely new and different.

    Thoughts Do Become Things. 

    Here is an example where a simple text-book idea really transformed lives.  And it is a good story.

    William Kamkwamba, from Malawi, is a born inventor. When he was 14, he built an electricity-producing windmill from spare parts and scrap, working from rough plans he found in a library book called "Using Energy" and modifying them to fit his needs. The windmill he built powers four lights and two radios in his family home. Now it is changing his homeland.

    Here is a link to more about William Kamkwamba and his TedTalk Videos.

    Here is a link to the book: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope.

  • Sometimes Simple Is Better

    This simple communication tool had a huge impact on our project management.

    I took for granted that our team was working towards the same vision, that we were aligned, and that we had a clear understanding of what constituted success.I was only partly right.  Here are some of the things we did to fix it.

    Perception Changes With Focus.

    The timeframe someone focuses on tells a lot about that person's level in a company. For example, people producing work tend to focus on what they're doing that day or week. Managers have a slightly longer timeframe, and may be looking at monthly production. Some executives are looking at the next year or two; while the CEO is often looking much further out than that.

    On a generic level, it is easy to think about the future. On the other hand, for someone working on the day-to-day operational details, it's much harder to figure-out how to go from where we are to even the very next step.

    Alignment Is a Key to Momentum and Progress.

    Aligning vision, strategy, and tactics is important to make sure that
    what we're doing now supports our ultimate goal and moves us in the
    right direction. Consequently, one of the goals of the planning exercise is to create a clear path so each person understands what they're doing, and how what they're doing up takes us closer to our ultimate goal.

    A Quick Look Backwards.

    One of the ways we have done this is to talk about some of the past iterations of technologies that we've gone through.  Doing this helps reinforce how much progress we've already made, as well as to recognize which things really marked the ending of one phase – or the beginning of another.

    Looking back, we identified seven major phases of technology. We agreed to call what we're currently doing version 7.0. We also agreed on which features and functions would constitute version 8.0. In other words, here is where we are … And here is where we want to be.

    A Clear Path Forwards.

    Then, we identified five stages to get from here to there. The first stage will take about one month, and we're calling it version 7.1. The key is that the team understands that 7.1 Is an important milestone on the path towards a bigger goal. However, it's specific, measurable, and actionable. Each person understands what they have to do, and what the project plan looks like to get from here to there.

    Accepting the Journey.

    We talked about why version 7.1 was an important step for us. We discussed what it will entail, and how we will know that it's complete. Then we had each person sign the sheet indicating that they agreed with and accepted these specifications.

    It sounds silly, but getting people to sign the sheet that documented a complete understanding of "who, what, when, where, and why" was important and freeing. It unlocked each person's unique abilities and gave them a clear path forward.

    Think about an area in your business or personal life that could use a little more transparency, clarity and unconditional agreement. Perhaps this simple tool can make it better?

    Hope that helps.

  • Sometimes Simple Is Better

    This simple communication tool had a huge impact on our project management.

    I took for granted that our team was working towards the same vision, that we were aligned, and that we had a clear understanding of what constituted success.I was only partly right.  Here are some of the things we did to fix it.

    Perception Changes With Focus.

    The timeframe someone focuses on tells a lot about that person's level in a company. For example, people producing work tend to focus on what they're doing that day or week. Managers have a slightly longer timeframe, and may be looking at monthly production. Some executives are looking at the next year or two; while the CEO is often looking much further out than that.

    On a generic level, it is easy to think about the future. On the other hand, for someone working on the day-to-day operational details, it's much harder to figure-out how to go from where we are to even the very next step.

    Alignment Is a Key to Momentum and Progress.

    Aligning vision, strategy, and tactics is important to make sure that
    what we're doing now supports our ultimate goal and moves us in the
    right direction. Consequently, one of the goals of the planning exercise is to create a clear path so each person understands what they're doing, and how what they're doing up takes us closer to our ultimate goal.

    A Quick Look Backwards.

    One of the ways we have done this is to talk about some of the past iterations of technologies that we've gone through.  Doing this helps reinforce how much progress we've already made, as well as to recognize which things really marked the ending of one phase – or the beginning of another.

    Looking back, we identified seven major phases of technology. We agreed to call what we're currently doing version 7.0. We also agreed on which features and functions would constitute version 8.0. In other words, here is where we are … And here is where we want to be.

    A Clear Path Forwards.

    Then, we identified five stages to get from here to there. The first stage will take about one month, and we're calling it version 7.1. The key is that the team understands that 7.1 Is an important milestone on the path towards a bigger goal. However, it's specific, measurable, and actionable. Each person understands what they have to do, and what the project plan looks like to get from here to there.

    Accepting the Journey.

    We talked about why version 7.1 was an important step for us. We discussed what it will entail, and how we will know that it's complete. Then we had each person sign the sheet indicating that they agreed with and accepted these specifications.

    It sounds silly, but getting people to sign the sheet that documented a complete understanding of "who, what, when, where, and why" was important and freeing. It unlocked each person's unique abilities and gave them a clear path forward.

    Think about an area in your business or personal life that could use a little more transparency, clarity and unconditional agreement. Perhaps this simple tool can make it better?

    Hope that helps.

  • The Marshmallow Test: What Kids Teach Us About Temptation

    Here is a brief video that reminds me that the difference between men and boys is often just the price of their toys.

    It's fun to watch these kids and the temptation of one marshmallow in the hand vs two marshmallows in the bush.  To eat, or not to eat?  … That is the question.

    Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

  • The Marshmallow Test: What Kids Teach Us About Temptation

    Here is a brief video that reminds me that the difference between men and boys is often just the price of their toys.

    It's fun to watch these kids and the temptation of one marshmallow in the hand vs two marshmallows in the bush.  To eat, or not to eat?  … That is the question.

    Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

  • Augmenting Reality

    090830 Minority-Report UI Sometimes new technology seems like science fiction. Other times, science fiction introduces us to new technology.

    I remember watching Minority Report and having a sense that I was watching a future closer than it seemed. There's a scene where Tom Cruise is walking through a shopping area and each time he passes a store there is a personalized ad; and in other scenes there is a "Terminator-Like" text that overlays the physically real world. That is called "Augmented Reality". 

    Well, your phone may not be as cool as that, yet; however it's getting there pretty quickly.

    The next picture doesn't look like much; but it's using the iPhone's built-in camera and GPS unit to recognize highly rated restaurants in real time. The application doing this is Yelp. This feature is
    currently hidden by default; but you can turn it on by shaking your
    phone vigorously, until the "Monocle" feature activates.

    090830 Augmented Reality

    Soon, I imagine this will be enhanced further with a discount coupons and the
    ability to place orders before you walk in the door. Nonetheless, it's
    an example of what's coming.

    Where Else Will This Be Useful?

    Imagine what this could do to the real-estate industry (as price per square foot, tax rates, etc. overlay the properties as you drive by). Or, imagine traders looking at a chart displaying the most relevant indicators, patterns, setups, and triggers for the company or market they are analyzing.  It gives a whole new meaning to real-time business intelligence.

  • Augmenting Reality

    090830 Minority-Report UI Sometimes new technology seems like science fiction. Other times, science fiction introduces us to new technology.

    I remember watching Minority Report and having a sense that I was watching a future closer than it seemed. There's a scene where Tom Cruise is walking through a shopping area and each time he passes a store there is a personalized ad; and in other scenes there is a "Terminator-Like" text that overlays the physically real world. That is called "Augmented Reality". 

    Well, your phone may not be as cool as that, yet; however it's getting there pretty quickly.

    The next picture doesn't look like much; but it's using the iPhone's built-in camera and GPS unit to recognize highly rated restaurants in real time. The application doing this is Yelp. This feature is
    currently hidden by default; but you can turn it on by shaking your
    phone vigorously, until the "Monocle" feature activates.

    090830 Augmented Reality

    Soon, I imagine this will be enhanced further with a discount coupons and the
    ability to place orders before you walk in the door. Nonetheless, it's
    an example of what's coming.

    Where Else Will This Be Useful?

    Imagine what this could do to the real-estate industry (as price per square foot, tax rates, etc. overlay the properties as you drive by). Or, imagine traders looking at a chart displaying the most relevant indicators, patterns, setups, and triggers for the company or market they are analyzing.  It gives a whole new meaning to real-time business intelligence.