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Anxiety Performance

Posted on Posted in .. All Posts .., Analytics, OpinionLeave a comment

In the dark recesses of companies, bedrooms and analytical blogs lurks the specter of Performance Anxiety.  Are we going to hit our numbers?  Have we chosen the right metrics?  Will we meet expectations?

What about Anxiety Performance?  Are we concerned about the right things to begin with?  Lets consider a few examples…

Insurance policies are regulated contracts that mitigate fear and the risks of disaster by spreading both across large groups of people.  The details of insurance policies are so complex that we trust our regulators, focus on price, and buy from “big” companies.  A big part of buying an insurance policy is evaluating the company’s ability to make a big payout.

If you have a home, auto, family, medical or dental issues shouldn’t you be more concerned about the insurance company’s willingness to make a big payout?  How would we measure that?  The ratio of claims to payouts?  Percent of claims paid?  And can we compare these ratios across companies and coverages?

When buying a home, we learn more about the property as we get closer to making the purchase.  We pay a questionable list of standard fees and learn about the history of utility payments somewhere in the process.  But only after we’ve moved in, unpacked and settled in for a season do we really understand the hidden costs of maintenance.  What if the real estate market was required to provide an estimated, total cost of ownership up front?  Land Value + Home Value + Avg Annual Utilities + 5-year estimated maintenance based on the data gathered during the inspection?

Anxiety Performance.  Are we asking the right questions or just comparing the answers we’ve been given?

 

 

Knights, Beer and Paid Content

Posted on Posted in .. All Posts .., Design, Opinion, WebLeave a comment

Newspapers and books have been under fire lately.   Amazon’s Kindle has created a healthy market, and newspapers are looking more appealing for starting fires either to keep warm or to get the BBQ started.  Over the long weekend I purchased a copy of the Saturday Boston Globe on a whim.  And it was the best dollar I have spent in a long while.

I read about the Higgins Armory and decided to take the kids after learning that the museum was open on President’s Day.  We spent the morning enjoying a guided demonstration of armor and swords, and learning about the styles and evolution of armor around the world.

I read a review of seasonal beers, and decided to try a Samuel Adams Noble Pils this evening at The Met Bar & Grill.  It’s easy to drink and amazing with a burger.  I purchased a six-pack to share with the neighbors when they drop by.

I read most of my news online, using tools such as Feedly to organize the RSS feeds that interest me.  And while I feel well informed, my experience this weekend was a reminder that when buying a paper or a book I’m not simply buying news or information.  I’m also buying someone’s editorial or literary guidance.

And in an era of information overload, I’ll pay for sound guidance.

Can there be an app for that?

Know Your Work

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I borrowed Linchpin (by Seth Godin) from a co-worker to read over the weekend.  The following may be found on page 130:

Your work is to create art that changes things, to expose your insight and humanity in such a way that you are truly indispensable.

Your work is to do the work, not to do the job.  Your job is about following instructions; the work is about making a difference.  Your work is to ship.  Ship things that make change.

Like many of Godin’s books, Linchpin is filled with insight delivered as if he’s sitting across from you at the local Starbucks.  But as I read and re-read these lines I struggle to think of any better career advice:

  • Create art that engenders change; and think of yourself as an artist
  • Express your insight and ideas constructively
  • Know your work and do it.  Know when you are working and when you are not
  • Ship your work

So much time is spent on performance reviews.  Read Linchpin and spend some time on a perspective review as we start another work year.

Superhero

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My youngest son is in a Superhero phase.  He wakes up too early in the morning, wakes me up, and then decides which Superhero he will be for the day.  Did you know that Spider-man wears red socks?  We are starting to get some odd looks at preschool because he arrives wearing a Batman or Spider-man costume.  I was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable until I realized that he was right:

Wake up every day and choose to be a Superhero.

Fewer Choices Make Happier Phone Customers?

Posted on Posted in .. All Posts .., Mobile, OpinionLeave a comment

Droid or iPhone…Driod or iPhone.  I’ve been thinking a lot about the replacement for my aging Blackberry.  Here’s the dilema…my choice has little if anything to do with the ability to make a call.  I use a Mac at home and I may never go back to a PC for personal use.  Let me correct that last statement…I love using a Mac at home.  It’s a work of art, and it appeals to my appreciation of design and aspiration to create something magnificent (whether I do or have is an entirely different question).  My wife has an iPhone and we have plenty of apps on it.  I’m not entirely sure what apps I would download immediately.  But I am certain that the iPhone will work as intended and not require a lot of fiddling to enjoy it.

The Droid will work with my current wireless provider.  I am in awe of its power and utility.  It’s a Google phone with endless possibility for development and customization.  I would really like to think that I’m as smart as the average Google employee  and that I have enough time to explore my choices and implement them quickly.  But the truth is that I’m not a rocket scientist and I’m always short on time.  I don’t really enjoy customizing my phone…or my PC at work….or my Mac at home.  There are tons of features and customizations I could make to my Mac.  But time is short and I’m satisfied with the experience.

So at the end of the day I’m really choosing between two brand identities, the more wonkish “I can create anything / Google genius” Droid or an iPhone that broadcasts my support for design but recognizes my surrender to whatever Apple thinks I should be doing on my phone..

Two great choices.  Maybe I should think less and simply choose the one that makes a better call?