Employee-Owned IT

Today's Age talks about 10 business IT trends for 2010. Number is "Employee-owned IT":

Traditionally, IT departments decide what kind of computers and software employees use and they take responsibility for all maintenance chores. Younger workers, however, have grown up choosing their own computers and applications and want to keep their personalised computing styles. Enter employee-owned IT, which sees workers bringing their own computers to work so that IT can lock them down with virtualisation or multiple operating systems that deliver security. IT departments save as maintenance devolves to computer vendors, while employees swear they are more productive using a machine of their choice.

This approach can help close the technology gap I blogged about a few weeks ago. But by imposing constraints on my personal computer, you are actually making my personal computing more like a corporate experience rather then vice-versa.

I think there is a place for computers to be "locked down," However, that does not give license to restrict access to specific sites just because they are "productivity killers" or a blanket restriction on installing software. There needs to be a balance.

One way to achieve that is to have two competing IT groups in your organisation. One that restricts what you can do with your computer (you already have one of those) and one that proactively installs software and coaches you to work more effectively with IT.

If employeed-owned IT helps us get there, I'm all for it.

Locking Your iPhone While Listening to a Video

Have you even been watching something on your iPhone, but decided all you needed was the audio, and then tried to lock the phone? You will quickly notice that locking the phone stops the video playback altogether.

To lock the phone while having the audio continue, first lock the phone (the video will stop) and then use the iPhone remote and click the button once (play) to start the audio. The screen will remain locked, so you can enjoy the audio while the phone is in your pocket.

Not the best implementation by Apple, but the workaround is easy.

The Swedish Chef Lives!

The Muppets rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody now has over 10 million views (that's near half the population of Australia). Well, Ringing the Bells, prominently featuring the Swedish Chef, hasn't hit a million views yet, so I'm slightly ahead of the curve on this one.

Enjoy!

Business Strategy Presentation on Google

I recently had to give a presentation on the Google Inc case in my business strategy class at Melbourne Business School. Actually, this was a syndicate (read: group) assignment. Another assignment was to write a paper analysing the business strategy of a company (we chose Yahoo!).

I decided that in order to get feedback, I would record myself giving the presentation and then post the video online for my syndicate members to comment. After all, they had as much at stake in the presentation as me.

I think the live presentation went better than the recorded one. That's mainly because I had lots of practice with my delivery and had some helpful feedback. I'm also more extemporaneous during the actual delivery; this makes my syndicate nervous, but works well for me. It's easier to incorporate humour when it isn't scripted.

Anyways, here's the video of my presentation run-through that I recorded. In the end, I modified some of the slides and added a couple more. I also went faster, so I was able to show both videos.

Business Strategy Presentation on Google Case from Scott Arbeitman on Vimeo.

The Elusive Dream Job

Like most twenty-somethings, I've been through several jobs. They've all lasted less than two years and they varied considerably from one to another.

The first one didn't pay much and didn't expect much. I used that opportunity to learn how do lots of practical IT things, things they just don't teach you in university. They ultimately didn't need me, my contract expired, and I moved on.

The second one was consulting. I was drop in the deep end, expected to deliver something of great value to a well-established, prestigious organisation. Management was distant, personal development was shunted in favour of billable hours. Those who were in the deep end with you became your confidants. I liked that the most. That, and when I'm feeling insecure, I can name drop the company I used to work for. But I won't.

The third one offered the best management. Having previously felt quite distant from management, a manager who was readily accessible, reasonable and a great listener made a huge difference. When work was dull or I didn't feel I was realising my potential, we worked together to make changes. It was mutually beneficial. Larger organisational factors (an impending merger) made me look elsewhere. It was a shame.

The last one offered a mix of very intelligent people and a hyper-ethical manager. A bit of cultural differences (the programmers there were simply too opinionated to get work done) and the stress of studying part time led to a decision not to extend my three month contact and study full time.

Study has its pros and cons too. In particular, the time slots devoted to schoolwork are highly varied. For six weeks, I was quite bored and considered work part-time. During the next six weeks, I worked harder than I would at a full time job. I like learning new things and I like my fellow students. Knock on wood, I still haven't had a dysfunctional syndicate at MBS while I had plenty at both Melbourne Uni and McGill.

The question for me is what to do next? I want to work in a company that is big enough for advancement and with the scale to attract both intelligent workers and interesting work. But without some of the more limiting corporate systems. I remember the first time I heard of managers spending their money at the end of a financial year so they wouldn't lose out money the following year. I was horrified at such inefficiency. Now, it's so commonplace, I don't blink. It's disturbing.

It is almost time to find that next job. I want this next one to last longer than 2 years. Longer than 10 would be better. It won't be easy. I need to avoid companies with all of the good from previous jobs (smart people, good management) and none of the bad (no commitment to staff, distant management, and so on). It won't be easy, but I've started the journey.