Posts Page – The Exercise of Vital Powers

The Business of Information

…the technologies are only the tools and methods I must be familiar with in order to stay current with the business practice of information creation, management, and presentation.

Last updated on December 6th, 2020 at 07:46 pm

During a discussion about technology evolution in American business, a subscriber on GaryNorth.com solicited my opinion regarding getting into online authoring using WordPress. Although I regard WordPress as a state-of-the-art content management system that most everyone should be familiar, I put the issue into a broader context:

“I have heard, Mr. Hobbes, that you do a lot of online work and that you do a lot with WordPress. This is probably where I should be going. Industrial controls are becoming more “intelligent” and offshoring is becoming a problem for us.” (Sic)
From https://www.garynorth.com/members/forum/openthread.cfm?forum=21&ThreadID=281000#281279 (Website subscription required.)

The Old Man and the C(+(+))(*)

Believe me when I tell you that when blood and mud mix in the corporate world, just like that other context, it’ll be the people who are ready, willing, and able to “step up” that will lead the followers “out of the sh*t” and into prosperity.

During a discussion about technology evolution in American business, a subscriber on GaryNorth.com made a statement in passing. The subscriber is a professional software developer by trade:

“Corporate America does not love old people. Their loss.”
From https://www.garynorth.com/members/forum/openthread.cfm?forum=21&ThreadID=281000#281279 (Website subscription required.)

It would appear that this viewpoint is prevalent within the rank and file of American industry. But is it valid? Or to be more accurate, to what extent is it valid?

In response to the subscriber, I offered the following opinion…

A View From The Playing Field

At its very essence, the argument promulgated by Baynes, above, is all about respect for the individual, specifically in respecting the individual’s competence to do his job; whereas virtual signaling, no matter how sophisticated, at its essence is all about the opposite.

April 25, 2020

A subscriber on GaryNorth.com got very excited about the firing of a U.S. Navy Captain resulting from said Captain’s conduct during the world-wide COVID-19 event.

Skill Development At Its Foundation

Discipline as well as its parent, respect, cannot be taught. They can only be learned.

April 22, 2020

A subscriber on GaryNorth.com queried for potential solutions to an immediate skill development problem for his young-adult son:

My unmarried sister has gifted my 17 year old son $1500 in a Schwab account of which I am custodian. I’d like this to be a learning experience for him but I’m in the dark as to how to proceed. My son has inherited from me a lack of self-discipline in financial matters as well as propensity for poor judgements regarding the future. He understands that he is not to touch the money for 5 years, so there’s a little time to work with. I’m not so much concerned with great returns as maximizing the growth of his character & life skills. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks.
From https://www.garynorth.com/members/forum/openthread.cfm?forum=1&ThreadID=280337#280337 (Website subscription required.)

Prototyping As A Method

Between a rock and a hard place? Not at all.

April 22, 2020

Reference https://www.garynorth.com/members/forum/openthread.cfm?forum=25&ThreadID=280152#280152 (Website subscription required.)

A subscriber to GaryNorth.com recently posted information about technical opinions regarding the current COVID-19 virus, originally published as a slide presentation about the COVID-19 virus event, by Alliance Bernstein, a global asset management firm in Nashville, Tennessee.

Defense In Depth: Capability In CoVID-19 Context

The hallmark of an immediate action fight is a situation seemingly disconnected, reactive, chaotic, exceedingly noisy, casualties are accumulating, and [normal] operational capability is rapidly expended. It’s obvious a fight is in progress.

Last updated on April 22nd, 2020 at 04:04 pm

April 17, 2020

One of the concepts one learns in the military that is applicable to any business, including the business of oneself, is the concept of “defense in depth,” which although typically used to mean fighting a defensive battle within geographical space using multiple defensive positions, in the upshot actually refers to “time AND space” AND fluidity of action as an expression of capability. It is the expression of capability in time and space that allows one to overcome adversity. As a concept, the expression of capability is applicable to manifold contexts of varying scopes.

To wit…

The Price

…whether the mess belongs to the subject, or to someone else (or a combination) is unknown, and really doesn’t matter;

Last updated on April 22nd, 2020 at 04:01 pm

March 11, 2020

Some fifty years ago (this summer), “Harry” was confronted with the dilemma of either immediately upsetting his peers resulting in their extreme (and immediate) disapproval of “Harry,” or requiring them to put their lives at very real risk by immediately intervening in a hazardous undertaking.

Professional Development Program Framework

Last updated on January 2nd, 2019 at 06:10 pm

Objective

To develop “service-oriented” professionals who discover and pursue opportunities for their personal and customer success and implement effective business solutions.

Desired Outcome

The Professional Development (PD) program will develop service-oriented professionals who implement competitive business solutions. These solutions are based upon the customer’s requirements and provide renewed value to the customer’s business by providing service, using appropriate technology, team and customer skills.

After Activity Review

AARs are a powerful tool for objectively evaluating performance, for the purpose of improving performance. Scalable and adaptable, they can be used in just about any circumstance.

Last updated on February 6th, 2020 at 01:44 am

The After Activity Review (AAR) is used extensively by the U.S. military (therein After Action Review), as a “learning tool” to improve the performance of all participants, no matter how lowly or exalted. AARs are formally part of all training and operations.

The After Activity Review (AAR) is a structured evaluation of performance; performance of an individual, group, or organization. The structure and process of the AAR provides scalability and adaptability to any event wherein performance is evaluated.

High-Level Performance Requirements

Last updated on January 2nd, 2019 at 06:20 pm

The high level performance requirements germane to a “business professional” are supported by general and specific interpersonal, customer, community, and technical skill requirements. These requirements include:

Professionalism

The original concept of professions and professionals had general and specific characteristics which differentiated them from technicians, vendors, and non-professionals. The characteristics are special or unique competence in special tasks and services; competence defined by a comprehensive and self-governing organization of practitioners.