Mr. Milton D’Silva, Editor, Industrial Products Finder, sent me this ….
I guess Google is a nimble smarty and MS a bit lethargic behemoth. Google can selectively target and focus on an area while MS has to guard its fortress from all sides all the times. In the long run, Google would certainly make itself more and more relevant and trendy. But it would be mistaken to assume it can outsmart MS in all departments. Morever, with the net moving to mobiles and other handheld devices, the next few years wuld be very interesting to watch the way companies and devices capture the imagination. I guess MS would have to factor this in its strategy…rather than offering a sumptuous buffet spread in a large hall where one becomes suddenly indecisive as to what to eat, it should concentrate on offering quick and interesting small bites in the cubicle for the busy exec, something that Google seems to have understood well. In the meanwhile, just look at todays headlines for techies:
1. Google Replaces Microsoft as No 1
http://www.techtree.com/India/News/Google_Replaces_Microsoft_as_No_1/551-80716-547.html
2. Microsoft results beat forecasts
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1286012.stm
Thanks Milton for an insightful comment…I like the analogy of sumptuous buffet / quick bites. Well, this is the age of quick bites, SMS, one line blogs….
Hemant
I introduced and supported a “Business Process Breakthrough” program that uses some principles of Six Sigma and that relies on simple measurements like cycle time. The method uses a number of creative techniques for unearthing root causes and for finding cures.
I developed this method while running an engineering company and broadened its scope while consulting to a machinery manufacturer and a processed food manufacturer. The results were: dramatic improvements in throughputs with minor investments. The ROI was very big.
I later used this method for customer acquisition process and distribution process leading to good results.
In my opinion:
TQM is too abstract and indirect for most managers and process players.
TOC is really a problem solving framework and a not problem defining technique.
Both above techniques fail to provide pro-active look-ahead controls in the hands of managers.
Lean methods specify a philosophy and asks managers to manage accordingly. They have limited diagnostic and control abilities.
Six Sigma: is the most powerful but extremely demanding in terms implementation and therefore rarely gets applied to wider business processes. It is usually restricted to manufacturing sub-processes.
The biggest gains can be obtained in wider business processes for which the method I developed has been very effective in terms time to see results (3 to 6 months typically) and easier acceptability by managers. The method provides both diagnostic and controlling tools to managers.
Hemant
How much should a manager coach employees?
A manager should coach employees till they clearly exceed their own expectations of themselves. That would be the biggest revelation and reward to individuals being coached. And it would be most satisfying for the manager.
About employees coaching their manager…. the manager should take initiative here. Coaching by employees would work better in case of employees coming through horizontal shifts from within or from outside organizations or cultures. It is important to explicitly identify coaching areas and goals too.
At Exponeint, we have been developing coaching methods and tools. I shall be happy to discuss them in relation to specific cases.
Hemant
May be Google is drawing circles around MS? They are perhaps closing in on MS while keeping them uninterested in web based Office Suite.
Perhaps they are attempting a totally different paradigm of collaborative office computing.
Best regards
Hemant
Even if you are a die-hard MSOFFICE JUNKY, the world is not. You may frown at Google bare bones DOCs & Spreadsheets offerings or may feel queasy about having depend on internet access even for working on word or excel files.
Think! Google is betting on:
(1) Most people do not need MSOFFICE full functionality most of the times and they wont mind trading down for lower functionality if there is something in them..
(2)Demand and benefits collaborative working (you know that irritant called versions of files) is large enough and companies wont mind accepting some limitations….
Who would say Google’s bets are totally wrong?
Read this post
PC Worlds Techlog Google Spreadsheets Gets Charts Finally
Whenever anyone asks me about the spreadsheet app in Google Docs and Spreadsheets and its robustness as an Excel substitute, Ive explained that its very basic–”It cant even create charts.” No longer. After yesterdays news about an upcoming Google presentation app, the company rolled out a new version of Spreadsheets today with charting and a few other worthwhile features. The free Web-based app is still more of a Spreadsheet Jr. than a full-bodied Excel rival, but its becoming more and more plausible as a real productivity tool, especially if collaboration is involved.
Hemant
On an off-beat note today…..
I found this about the WORD creator Charles. Innovation is a timid word…..
PC Worlds Techlog Microsoft Word Creator in Spaaaaaaaaace
I am finding myself oddly fascinated by the news that Charles Simonyi, the former Microsoft software architect and current billionaire, is now the fifth civilian ever to be rocketed into space. Hes on his way to the International Space Station onboard a Soyuz spacecraft that took off from Kazakhstan on Saturday.
And don’t forget to visit Charles in Space
What a delightful site!
Hemant
What is the future of leadership development?
It is necessary. Everyone says so, few act. Since the need is fundamental sooner or later
the solutions would be as main stream as supply chain management.
Which organisations could be considered exemplars of leadership development?
I know GE does a great job.
What is it that these exemplars are doing better than other organisations?
GE has strong leadership development processes. Its six sigma culture also supports leadership development greatly.
What part will technology play in the future? What are the emergent technologies? What are the limitations of technology application?
Technology (IT) will play only a carrier role e.g. web forms, mobile forms for coachees to carry out excercizes. The drivers have to be top leaders
Which organisations are leading developments in this field?
Exponient (my firm) is active on lower scale.It has content.
Who are the thought leaders and leading practitioners in this field?
There is shortage experienced and motivational speakers. The need is for tools-based coaching. Exponient does that.
Do you know of any good web resources to answer these and related questions?
Yes: www.exponient.com exponient.wordpress.com
Hemant
