Win an Energy Efficient Dishwasher
By Rick | November 14, 2008
I do not usually blog about my employer or anything related to what happens at work. I do not want to turn this blog into a comercial. I occasionally blog about observations and profesional experience, but I do not drill into specifics from the office. I am going to make an exception today.
Prior to my current role, I worked as the Director of Engineering for the Warewash Division of Hobart. They recently launched a new dishwasher. This project started while I was still in the group. This is a wonderful unit (even if I am slightly biased). It reduces energy and water consumption while improving productivity. It is very impressive. What is in it for the customer? Amazing paybacks (under two years and sometimes less than one). a solid and reliable product … ok, I sound like I am in sales, sorry.
Why did I chose to blog about this? Well, if you own a foodservice establishment this is your chance to win a free CLe Warewasher from Hobart. Simply create a short video and sumit it by December 31 and you could win a $22,000 CLe. Follow this link to learn more. The video must be from 30 seconds to two minutes in lenght. This could be a lot of fun and is worth the investment. Check it out!
Topics: Leadership | No Comments »
Hurricane Ike took a shot at Ohio
By Rick | September 27, 2008
On Sunday, September 14, 2008 Hurricane Ike took a shot at Ohio. The rain was north and west of us, but the winds were amazing. In our area winds were up to 78 miles / hour. There was significant damage to homes and trees down everywhere. Check out this video:
In Ohio, over 2.5MM people were without power at some point including many of my friends and coworkers. I was driving to my companies plant in Hillsboro and took this picture of crop damage.
It may not be easy to see but the corn was blown over. I hope it is many years before we have another Hurricane in Ohio - and where is my ‘I survived Ike in Ohio’ t-shirt?
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Creeping Elegance
By Rick | July 26, 2008
Over my career, I have worked on a number of project teams and managed many project from concept to customer. I have observed even more projects from the seat of a stakeholder and manager. At some point, I will share a number of keys to successful project management. Today, I want to share a video that demonstrates one of the key reason projects fail - creeping elegance.
I have seen teams fall into this trap many times. It can happen to teams with very experienced leaders as well as rookies. It occurs at varies times during projects. Even teams with very well defined objectives fall into this trap. It often it happens after developing detailed specifications. What happens? The team ‘discovers’ a number of opportunities to ‘improve’ the design. By the time they realize what has happened, cost have spiraled out of control and the scheduled launch has become an impossibility.
While reading a few blogs today, I ran across a video on Seth Godin’s blog. I think this video demonstrates creeping elegance - so I thought I would share it.
Topics: Leadership, Project Management | No Comments »
Music and Technology … amazing
By Rick | July 12, 2008
Today I watched another video from the 2008 TED conference. We are fortunate to live in a time of amazing technological advances. Innovation can change lives as is the case of Dan Ellsey. Watch this video and be prepared to be amazed.
Topics: Innovation | No Comments »
ScribeFire … very cool
By Rick | July 5, 2008
Earlier today I was trying to catch up on my reading. In the post, “Can You Build A Business On Browser Extensions?“, Fred Wilson (’A VC’) discussed how companies are creating innovative business opportunities through browser extensions. Often these companies offer a host of other services. They use the add-on’s and extensions to attract users. I agree Fred’s observations recommend his blog.
Rather than blog about the business opportunity (saving that for another discussion), I wanted to write about a specific browser extension that I found while reviewing the 100 most popular Firefox extensions. Being a new blogger, I was attracted to ScribeFire. This extension integrates a blog editor into Firefox and makes it easier post to a blog. So far, I really like the functionality. Great tool.
Topics: Tools | No Comments »
Innovation for the business model?
By Rick | July 4, 2008
Are you interested in a little insight into the future of online video games and how game developers are likely to ‘go to market’? Check out the Economist article, “Asian invasion”.
I am not a big video game player (my sons always handled that task), but stories like this intrigue me. This is just one of several business models that are redefining business today. Many of these new business models take advantage of the Internet and allow businesses to reposition themselves in the value chain. This often creates significant disruption to well established and much larger companies.
You don’t have to look far to find examples. Just think about it … I am sure you can think of many examples. I am particularly intrigued by models such as ‘Software as Service’ and other subscription models.
Great leaders have open minds and vision to recognize the threat but the insight to leverage these wonderful opportunities. How will these new business models impact your business?
Topics: Leadership | 3 Comments »
Breaking News
By Rick | July 2, 2008
I saw this on Keith Ferrazzi’s ‘Never Eat Alone’ Blog … Thanks Keith.
(Update: The video may not show up on some aggregator so you may have to go to my blog or view it here.
Topics: Fun | 1 Comment »
Innovation or Invention?
By Rick | June 26, 2008
I love to listen to podcast. I guess I am an admitted iPod-olic. These things are the greatest. During my workout yesterday and on a bike ride later in the day, I listened to a couple of episodes of CNBC’s series “The Business of Innovation”. Maria Bartiromo and the CNBC crew did a wonderful job with this series.
For some time I have believed that the word innovation is overused. Think about it, I think every one of my competitors thinks they are truly innovative. I am not going to use this blog as an opportunity to talk down my competition. I am simply pointing out that most every company thinks of themselves as innovative. Some of the claims are entertaining.
So, what is innovation? Many people focus on disruptive and even radical innovations. That is easier to understand. There are others that focus on incremental innovation. There are those that have a very narrow view of innovation and think that it must take the form of a ‘hard’ product such as the iPod. In the introduction to the show Maria says the following:
Innovation is the lifeblood of any business. Be it a groundbreaking invention or an incremental change in process, innovation is about generating new ideas that will prevent a company from stagnation by giving its products and services a competitive edge. In today’s challenging economic environment, it may be tempting to scale back but it is actually more important than ever to innovate.
Yet it is one thing to recognize the value of innovation but quite another to make it happen. Effecting change necessarily means turning established business practices on their heads, being open to experimentation and the possibility of failure. It demands creative thinkers, fearless leaders and a corporate culture that embraces change combined with the capability to turn new ideas into winning products and services. It’s as easy and as hard as it sounds.
So, how does an organization or individual go about innovating? In the episode, “Redefining Innovation”, Ursula Burns of Xerox said, “Customers can’t really articulate always what they want. They give you a rough outline”. Often, innovation can be found in solutions to what keeps customers ‘up at night”. Other times, I think Ms. Burns is right; they really are not able to articulate a problem. For that matter, they may not want to because it would require change. Regardless, innovation frequently takes the form of ‘solutions’ (another overused word) to problems or simply changing the way something is done.
Far too often a business INVENT but to not really INNOVATE. Yes, they find a cool technology, but did they really solve a problem or improve a process? A wise engineering manager once told me that he did not care about cool technology just of the sake of cool technology. Want an example? How about the Segway – a wonderful invention. I am not sure I would call it innovative (although given the price of gas I may want one soon).
So, back to my iPod - Was the iPod an innovation? I don’t want to create an argument here but what is innovative about the iPod? I suggest it was the clean interface and sexy appearance. It was also how they brought it to market and the application of the brand. Perhaps the real innovation that answered a need was iTunes? At the time of launch, where would you have gone for digital content?
Innovation can be applied to everything we do - look for real solutions and answers. There are problems to solve and innovations to bring to market.
Topics: Leadership | No Comments »
Get Smart
By Rick | June 25, 2008
Teresa and I saw ‘Get Smart’ last night. If you remember the orginal series you will enjoy the 2008 version. Steve Carell & Anne Hathaway (Max and 99) do a wonderful job. No, it is not serious but it is funny and entertaining. I do not usually go for ‘nonsense’ movies, but I recommend this one!
For those of you that remember the original, check out this video clip of Max and the cone of silence. Very funny!!
Topics: Fun | No Comments »
The brand experience … where is the passion
By Rick | June 24, 2008
Last night we decided to go to our local Cold Stone Cremery. I must admit that I caved in and had a ‘Oreo Overload’. Amazing treat. It would have been less expensive to pick up some ice cream and eat at home but I was in need of an experience, not just ice cream.
When I visit retail establishments I tend to notice the ‘little’ things. How is the customer service? How well do they merchandise and cross sell? Does the quality of service and the product meet the brand promise? I especially notice the people. (You would think I could just enjoy it but I tend to analysis all the time).
When you go to Cold Stone, you expect a certain experience. You pay a premium for that experience - the entire experience. It is more than just the ice cream (I guess it is the same for Starbucks but I do not drink coffee). The ice cream was wonderful, and the environment much like I have found in the past but the service was disappointing. There just did not seem to be any passion to offer the normal experience. I will still go back:).
Topics: Marketing 101 | 4 Comments »
