Monthly Archives: July 2009

Jul 28

Posted by fredzimny

Service Innovation 2 – the reverse product cycle and more

View more presentations from IanMiles.

Posted in Links, Misc. & Tweets

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Bertrand’s Duperrin 10 things beliefs about the ROI of Enterprise 2.0 | Bertrand DUPERRIN’s Notepad

Jul 28

Posted by fredzimny

Some of the posts on this blog refer to a sound business view that investments and project should create business value. And that someone has to accountable for realizing that value. This found post reflects the same attitude. Nice read for a operational manager!

Source: http://www.duperrin.com/english/2009/07/28/10-things-i-believe-about-the-roi-of-enterprise-20

July 28th, 2009

The “ROI” question is still very discussed even if it irritates many people and is used as a pretext for many things. Here are 10 things I believe (right now, at the moment I’m writing…) on the subject. These are only personal beliefs and are subject to change once I find more relevant ones..

1°) This is not a trival point. When a company is asked to invest money, it’s logical they want to have at least as much money as they spent in a direct or indirect return. “Invest time and money..you want to know what you’ll get in return ?…. But we don’t care, it doesn’t matter” is a discourse that enterprises can’t hear. If you don’t agree with me, I suggest you to send me 1000 euros (I accept cheques and paypal), knowing I won’t explain you what I’ll do in return (and if I’ll do something in return). If I’m a milionaire at the end of the week, maybe I’ll change my mind.

2°) ROI may have new forms. The ROI as a predictable mathematic profitability model is not the only way to measure things anymore. R is not a function of I but also depends on peripherical elements (sense, alignment, management…)

3°) Agreeging to the previous point forces us to find new ways to trace created value.

4°) We have to admit that the “ROI question” is an easy way for many people not to do what they don’t want or do not have the courage to do. But it doesn’t mean than those who raise it necessarily want to lay a project aside.

5°) ROI has not to be measured in tools but in people’s and organizational performance. Measuring the ROI of a tool through its content is hazardous. Measuring how individual and collective performance is improved since a tool is used is more concrete. Measuring how a tool is used (contribs, comments…) is value less. Value is in the use of the contents for business purposes, outside of the tool.

6°) Measuring what is lost because of “not doing” is also interesting. In a transactions economy, measuring the cost of current transactions and the cost of missed opportunities due to transaction that can’t happen brings a new perspective.

7°) ROI is a systemic measue : tools + org modes, at an individual and collective level.

8°) Repeat that “no one cares about the ROI of electricity” makes no sens. More, all companies are trying to lower their electricity costs and improve their “energy performance”.

9°) If the value chain is protected from the E2.0 project, there are few chances any return will happen.

10°) If some businesses are successful with their E2.0 implementation and keep on thar way, that’s not for the pleasure of spending money and time. Using their case not only in order to know that “it’s possible” but as a laboratory to invent new ways to trace value would be worth.

http://www.duperrin.com/english/2009/07/28/10-things-i-believe-about-the-roi-of-enterprise-20

Dion Hinchcliffe: Ten top issues in adopting enterprise social computing (fredzimny.wordpress.com)
How to Get IT and the Business Working Together (blogs.harvardbusiness.org)
CCCCC’s notices Launch of Social Media Strategy Framework (fredzimny.wordpress.com)
Enterprise 2.0: Culture Is as Culture Does (fredzimny.wordpress.com)
What Are CEOs and Managers Talking About Now? (blogs.harvardbusiness.org)

Posted in CRM, Enterprise 2.0, Social Media, Web 2.0 and Information Technology,

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Tags: Business, Enterprise 2.0, Information Technology, Making sense of leadership, Management, Shopping, Transition, Trends, Ways of Seeing

Says YES to inNOvation: 50 cases for your resolutions 2010

Jul 28

Posted by fredzimny

Artist Anna Nordquist Andersson http://www.artfacts.net/en/artist/anna-nordquist-andersson-37351/profile.html

First published in MAY 2009 | By now, virtually everyone has chimed in on how innovation is the only way out of the recession. So instead of adding more theory, let’s have a look at actual B2C innovations from recession-defying entrepreneurs and brands around the world.

Great post to connect to and react on.

Found athttp://trendwatching.com/trends/innovationjubilation

Good times or bad times, it’s actually somewhat up to you

Yes, we all agree that innovation is the only way out of the current mess that both mature and not-so-mature consumer societies find themselves in. We’re talking basically anything that will get consumers spending again, and preferably the kind of spending that involves sustainable goods, services and experiences. Since everyone from Seth Godin to the Harvard Business Review is providing you with excellent, inspiring insights and theory on innovation as a mindset, a process, a way of life, we’d like to contribute to the conversation with examples of actual innovations. As we see it:

INNOVATION JUBILATION | There will never be a shortage of smart new ventures, brands, goods and services that deliver on consumers’ wants and needs. And if those wants and needs currently revolve around practicality, efficiency and responsibility, and less about traditional luxury, splurging and upgrading, then that’s what brands should deliver on. Which seems doable, judging from the dozens of recent innovations we’ve rounded up for this briefing, courtesy of our sister-site Springwise.

The link between INNOVATION JUBILATION and trends? As focused as we are on emerging consumer trends, we never tire of pointing out that trends are only good for one thing: inspiring you to innovate, to come up with new goods, services and experiences for (or even better, with) your customers.

Innovation: not just labs, not always earnest, not necessarily expensive

Three more thoughts on innovation:

Innovation is not necessarily about people in white coats puttering about in R&D labs. In an experience economy (which we’re still in, recession or not), marketing innovation is equally important, and often trumps technical innovation.
Furthermore, as consumers’ wants are sometimes frilly, new products and services can be, too. Really, innovation doesn’t have to be so earnest all the time! Have fun with it, too!
Thirdly, doing or starting something new doesn’t have to cost the world. Many of the innovations featured in this briefing thrive on nimbleness and creativity, not huge budgets.

Springwise New Business Ideas is trendwatching.com’s sister site. Do not miss out!

OK, enough preaching, let’s get to practicing: check out these 50+ innovations*, arranged by trends and industries, and all sourced from trendwatching.com’s sister site Springwise, which finds and publishes the best innovations from around the world, with the help of 8,000+ Springspotters. Seriously, if you don’t yet subscribe to its weekly newsletter, you’re missing out!

*You may have already seen some of these (hey, we actually hope you have—if all of the below is new to you, you’ve let your business intelligence slide…), but we’ve also added some new trend monikers to add context.

The FREE LOVE trend will continue to do well, with a dash of GENERATION G thrown in now that recession pains are felt by many. Check out the following FREE LOVE innovations:

Printing | FedEx Office recently drew attention by extending a helping hand to job seekers, offering free printing (on March 10th) of up to 25 black-and-white copies of their resume at any of the company’s 1,600+ stores across the US. More »

Retail | An iPhone application developed for 7-Eleven Sweden combines a store locator with coupons for a free coffee and biscotti. After downloading the app, users plug in their phone number and receive a unique coupon code on their iPhone. To claim their coffee, they just show the code to a 7-Eleven clerk; no purchase necessary. The coupon is only valid once, and free coffee in April will be followed by free ice cream in May. More »

Sampling | Created by Belgian marketing and design agency Fosfor, the Boobox is a vending machine designed specifically to dole out freebies. More »Sample U is a product testing site where TRYSUMERS are given lab memberships allowing them to take home products and discuss them with friends, in exchange for providing demographic information for market research purposes. More »

Advertising | Washington DC-based FreePaperCups gives away paper cups with advertisements on them to corporate customers across the US. More »

Music | No Doubt is giving away free downloads of their entire digital audio catalogue to high-end ticket buyers for the band’s tour, that just kicked off in Atlantic City. More »

The trend towards control-craving consumers who actually enjoy doing the work that brands used to do for them (online check-in, anyone?) is not new, but the innovations that it continues to spawn certainly are:

Vending machines | U*tique is an upscale vending machine that dispenses select luxury and personal care products handpicked by specialists with backgrounds in global beauty, trend-hunting and innovation. More »

Bars | Amsterdam’s Minibar gives patrons access to a personal minibar and lets them serve themselves. Designed by Dutch design firm Concrete, Minibar offers consumers a way to avoid long lines at the bar without having to spring for pricey bottle service. More »

Publishing | An initiative from Lexus, Time and American Express Publishing, called mine, allows consumers to create their own personalized magazines by choosing editorial content from Time, Sports Illustrated, Food & Wine, Real Simple, Money, InStyle, Golf, and Travel + Leisure. More »

Enjoy the entire post at http://trendwatching.com/trends/innovationjubilation

Three technology breakthroughs that could create long-term growth (dailyfinance.com)
Innovative single-serve packaging (anishvshah.com)

Posted in Recovery and the way out of the crisis, recession and depression, Vision, visionaries, vision things, trends

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Tags: Business, Change, Innovation, Seth Godin, Transition, Trends, Ways of Seeing

A Midsummer resolution: 50 Books before entering the Real World

Jul 28

Posted by fredzimny

Artist Jason Madara http://apostrophe.net/#/photographers/madara/inside/

Tipped by http://www.jobprofiles.org/library/students/50-books-you-should-read-before-world.htm

Published on Tuesday July 28th , 2009

Books possess generations of wisdom and knowledge. From fictional characters struggling for growth in the face of adversity to career coaches giving advice, books can help you explore life’s biggest questions. For young people getting ready to enter the real world for the first time, books can offer a welcome respite from uncertainty or fear. Here are the 50 books everyone should read before entering the real world.

Career Advice

Bosses pile on work and co-workers can be annoying. Getting ahead is not an easy, especially if you hate what you do. Follow the advice given in these helpful career books to get the work you want.

Getting From College to Career: 90 Things To Do Before You Enter The Real World: For those willing to plan, this helpful book offers students career advice before the pressures of working life take effect.
From Day One: CEO Advice to Launch an Extraordinary Career: Advice and tips from a former CEO on advancing your career.
Career Match: Connecting Who You Are With What You’ll Love To Do: Offering sage job advice, this book also provides readers with an insightful quiz to help figure out your interests.
The Pathfinder: How To Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success: This book is perfect for anyone looking to improve their salary or career satisfaction.
Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type: Everyone has a different personality but people tend to follow certain types. This understanding book helps readers match their future careers with their personality type.
I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really Want and How to Get It: Get the career you have always dreamed of with this fantastic book about attaining the “unattainable.”
The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need: Using a fictional character that represents the average person, this books guides anyone who feels they have ended up in a dead-end job.
I Don’t Know What I Want, But I Know It’s Not This: A Step-By-Step Guide to Finding Gratifying Work: Some people need more specific instructions than others. For those who hate their current jobs, this book provides detailed steps to getting a job you love.
Saving the Earth as a Career: Advice on Becoming a Conservation Professional: A book for anyone who needs moral satisfaction with their work, get resume tips and career advice for entering the conservation field.
Outdoor Careers: Exploring Occupations in Outdoor Fields: With the sun on your back and a smile on your face, a job outside can be the perfect remedy for cubicle life. This book teachers readers about the world of professional work available outside.
From College to Career: Making a Successful Transition to the Corporate World: Many students entering the job market for the first time will find employment in the corporate sector. Learn how to negotiate the corporate world to achieve long lasting success.
Escape from Corporate America: A Practical Guide to Creating the Career of Your Dreams: Career advice for anyone trapped in corporate life, this book offers sound advice for getting the job of your dreams.
From New Recruit to High Flyer: No-Nonsense Advice to Fast Track Your Career: Simply getting a job is enough for some people. Others want, and are willing to work for, immediate success. Find out how to get ahead in your new job fast with this great book.
Careers in the Environment: Get a job saving the world with this incredible book about careers involving the environment.
Careers for Homebodies & Other Independent Souls: Having a boss and going to an office everyday isn’t for everyone. Those needing a little more freedom from the daily grind should checkout this book on independently minded careers.
How to Self-Destruct: Making the Least of What’s Left of Your Career: Some people want to go out with a bang. This book details the myriad of ways people self-destruct and gives tips for avoiding the downfall.
Careers for Geniuses and Other Gifted Types: Some individuals are blessed with special gifts of intellect and creativity. For those looking to explore their options, check out this book on jobs for a special kind of person.
College and Career Success for Students with Learning Disabilities: More and more adults are being diagnosed with learning disabilities. Get tips and advice for success despite disability with this useful book.
Opportunities in Animal and Pet Careers: This book dispenses invaluable career advice to animal lovers.
5 Necessary Skills to Keep Your Career On Track: Learn how to recession proof your job, negotiate a contract and other valuable skills necessary for achieving career success.

Artist Jason Madara http://apostrophe.net/#/photographers/madara/inside/

Fiction and Memoirs

Sometimes the best truth comes from fiction. People often have a hard time taking direct advice from others but can feel deep empathy with a fictional character’s trial and tribulations. These are the best fiction books for changing your life and career.

The Catcher in the Rye: The all-time classic for youth angst, J.D. Salinger’s masterpiece remains a classic for young adults.
A Moveable Feast: A memoir on life in Paris from the master American author, Ernest Hemmingway, this book details his experiences with doubt before fame and fortune.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!: Dr. Seuss delivered this classic story of inspiration as a graduation speech to Harvard University in the 1950s. Decades later, adults and kids find its message every bit as uplifting.
Breakfast of Champions: Kurt Vonnegut was in his fifties when the book that made him famous was finally published. This meditation on doubt and failure is a man with an infinite tolerance for both, Vonnegut’s classically failed science fiction writer Kilgore Trout.
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man and Life’s Greatest Lesson: A writer reflects on the relationship he had with college professor twenty years earlier in this uplifting memoir on life’s complexities.
The Art of the Deal: Donald Trump’s book on business and his life.
The Alchemist: An international best seller for more than 20 years, The Alchemist is a fantastic spiritual journey.
Accidental Lessons: Memoirs of a Rookie Teacher and A Life Renewed: A successful journalist suddenly finds himself out of work and desperate. Taking a job as a teacher in Chicago, this author found inspiration and valuable life lessons from his students.
The Grapes of Wrath: No matter how tough times are currently, there is no comparison to the Great Depression. John Steinbeck’s classic follows a family from Oklahoma as they try to establish new lives for themselves in California.
Unemployed: A Memoir: The recession has put millions of people out of work. This book details the author’s attempts to cope with denial, lack of confidence and life in a new career.

Artist Jason Madara http://apostrophe.net/#/photographers/madara/inside/

Self-Help and Motivation

Starting a new life in the real world is understandably daunting. Avoid getting overwhelmed with these effective self help guides.

How to Survive the Real World: Life After College Graduation: Advice from 774 Graduates Who Did: A survival guide for recent college graduates, this book offers advice on work, life and love.
What They Don’t Teach You In College: Considering the five figure loan debt, it almost seems cruel there are things your professors didn’t teach you. Get the missing information with this invaluable self-help book.
Graduate: Everything You Need to Succeed After College: From credit cards to health insurance, get the advice you need to set up an adult life with adult responsibilities.
Ramen Noodles, Rent and Resumes: An After-College Guide to Life: Avoid the oncoming quarterlife crisis by preparing yourself for the drag of life after college with this book offering practical solutions to real life problems.
The Turbulent Twenties Survival Guide: Figuring Out Who You Are, What You Want & Where You’re Going After College: This is a great book for anyone who ever graduated from college and asked, “Now what?”Get tips and advice for figuring out your next step in life and towards a career.
When Reality Hits: What Employers Want Recent College Graduates to Know: The difference between theory and practice is often staggering. While college is meant to prepare students for the working world, there’s a lot that is often let out. This book fills in the gaps so graduates don’t enter the world unprepared.
Short & On Point: The New Graduate’s Guide for a Successful First Year After College: An essential read for recent college grads, this book guides readers through a successful first year after graduating school.
Seasons of Learning: Talks to Graduates on Life After College: The hardest issues to tackle are the ones people expect least. This book discusses the experiences of individual college grads dealing with life issues.
College Grad Job Hunter: Insider Techniques and Tactics for Finding a Top-Paying Entry Level Job: No starts at the top but some people start closer than others. Learn how to get ahead right out of college with this priceless book.
Helping Your New Employee Succeed: Tips for Managers of New College Graduates : For managers dealing with recent college grads, this book can help new employees anticipate expectations before getting on the job.
The Post-College Survival Handbook: The Essential Money Skills You Need to Make it On Your Own: Get the skills you need for everyday life management with this book offering sound solutions and practical advice.
How To Succeed in Your First Job: Tips for College Graduates: Many recent grads are entering the working world for th first time. Use this book to learn the pitfalls before your first day.
Grad to Great: Discover the Secrets to Success in Your First Career: In this book, the author guides readers through graduation and into their first careers.
From College to the Real World: Street-Smart Strategies for Landing Your Dream Job and Creating a Successful Future!: A sensible approach to establishing necessary job skills, this book offers sure fired strategies for success after college.

Artist Jason Madara http://apostrophe.net/#/photographers/madara/inside/

Financial Advice

College life wreaks havoc on credit and finances. Upon graduation, millions of students have thousands in loans with very little understanding of how repayment will actually work. Even more frightening is the nearly $10,000 average Americans have in credit card debt. Learn how to manage your finances early with these books providing advice to recent college graduates.

Tips from the Top: Advice for a Young Person from 125 of America’s Most Successful People: Get advice from highly successful individuals in this book on what it takes to get ahead.
Debt-Free by 30: Practical Advice for the Young, Broke and Upwardly Mobile: This book offers a way out of debt for people in their early 20s with simple, easy to follow examples.
So You Graduated College: A Financial Guide to Life After Graduation: Learn everything you need to know about managing your finances after college with this fantastic financial book.
Got Money?: Enjoy It, Manage It â€“ Even Save Some of It â€“ Financial Advice for Your Twenties and Thirties: For those lucky enough to actually possess money, here’s a guide for spending and saving.
Young, Fabulous and Broke: From Suze Orman, a cable financial guru, comes this book about lifestyle decisions and their financial consequences.
Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties: Younger people have different priorities than their parents and as a result tend to have different spending habits. Read this book about aimed at the MTV audience and learn how to manage youthful finances.

http://www.jobprofiles.org/library/students/50-books-you-should-read-before-world.htm