Amanda Chehrezad

“You can think of the cloud as a virtual storage locker that you rent from a storage company. Because the storage locker is virtual you can accesses it from anywhere as long as you have internet access. The storage company is providing all the hardware and software to provide this service and as a customer we are just paying for the space to…[Read more]

I work in a government owned facility which is not tolerant of BYOD. I personally feel that my productivity is inhibited by the government provided devices. Usually the government owned equipment is older and slower because procurement is slow and security measures are taxing on computer memory. Additionally, the government is almost…[Read more]

Hi Diane,
For some reason I can’t reply to your comment above so I’m going to reply here. I really love your question!! I struggle with this myself because I find I get really frustrated when new technology comes out even if it’s not glitchy. I don’t consider myself a techy by any means but I’ve always been able to use technology pretty well.…[Read more]

Great question Jon. We share the resource constraint of too much work and too little staff so we have been using volunteers and interns to help when possible. One unique way we’re able to do that is by utilizing alumni from our actual programs, this keeps them engaged and they already have an understanding of the programs and interest in the…[Read more]

I appreciate your candor!! Sometimes I think people would feel so much better about things not going according to plan if they understood that preparation can’t account for everything. Too often people think just creating a new tool will fix a problem without fully understanding what it takes to actually implement the tool. I hope your team is…[Read more]

Hi Mariya,
I like your example of systems thinking. When I read this article it made me think that so many of use are using systems thinking without even realizing it, so it’s actually not that difficult. But it also made me realize that if you can formalize the system then it becomes easier and more effective because everyone can use it in…[Read more]

I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. The system worked in identifying priorities but the structure of the company made it so that only part of the priorities were taken into account. This doesn’t mean the process was flawed but rather the corporate architecture with two disparate groups battling for resources is incomplete. Volkswagen…[Read more]

Hi Eric,

I have been in this situation numerous times so you’re not alone! So many times companies think they can just buy their way to efficiency but if you don’t have the human capital to back it up you might as well through your money out the window. I now have so much respect for those companies that won’t sell their products without…[Read more]

I couldn’t agree more, the move to project based IT management is a big change but in the end it can pay off by decreasing costs and staying on schedule. It creates a much better system for tracking and evaluating projects.

I work for a nonprofit so some of the building blocks don’t encompass this type of organization. But when it comes to customer relations that’s a cornerstone for our team. We are an educational exchange and leadership organization so relationships is what we do. We have ample personal assistance for all our program participants and alumni and…[Read more]

I have been at companies that have done both over and under invest in technology. In some cases the companies invested in technology but not in the training to go along with it so that it could produce as expected. I’ve also had to deal with companies that leave technology as an afterthought creating frustrated employees and dissatisfied…[Read more]

This is a very tricky question. As noted by the author, Matulovic is fielding calls from colleagues not subordinates so he has to tread lightly. In order to stay with the nature of the new process to find out if they are doing the “right” projects he needs to make sure any adjustments in projects will be benefiting the good of the company and…[Read more]

The new process is much more transparent and deliberate than the older ad-hoc way. It was inclusive of all the departments and solicited input from the parties involved. The fact that it was so in-depth shows Volkswagen’s commitment to it’s IT systems and infrastructure. The older system left the IT department vulnerable to criticism of…[Read more]

Hi Steve,
I like your thoughts on access and how to lessen risk. It’s an interesting idea to limit outside access or segregate it from the other systems. I would guess that a medical records wouldn’t need to have access to the internet so why not section them off. Seems like a great way to reduce risk!

Hi Kristen,

I couldn’t agree more! It seems like Yelp is treating all of us like fiver year olds by censoring for us. It really makes me wonder if Amazon is doing the same. I have relied on them for years for recommendations on products and they have some pretty scathing reviews but they allow the manufacturers to reply to there is some…[Read more]

I totally agree! People are very quick to complain and unmotivated to complement. When you do find something that has great reviews I think it is a sign it must be good but I always take critical views with a grain of salt.

Hi Corey,
Honestly I think it’s a very strange model Yelp has adopted. I always think back to Amazon as the first Web site to really allow customers to leave feedback about products. (Ebay has had a system as well but it’s more about the buying experience and if the product was as described instead of how the product actually preformed.) To…[Read more]

The security breach at Sunnylake was very different than most electronic breaches in one major way, this breach wasn’t to steal information it was to hold it hostage. The hackers in this situation were not targeting the clients of the hospital in a direct way, they didn’t steal billing records or social security numbers to sell on the black…[Read more]

When I think about the risks that hosts and clients take by using Airbnb they are essentially the same as in a traditional hotel or landlord type situation. The renter has the risk of not getting what was advertised and the business (host) has the risk of damage from the renter. In the business world the “hosts” have insurance to help deal with…[Read more]

To my five year old son,

You know how when we go to the toy store you can never decide what toy to get? Well what if you could see what other kids have to say about the toys and then decide? Imagine you go to the toy store and buy a new lego set. You get it home and put it together and have hours of fun playing with it. The next time you go…[Read more]