principles
Strategic Technique for Rapid Application Prototyping
October 13, 2014
CEATH Company's strategic technique for rapid application prototyping (STRAP) is a tool used to develop systems quickly with the client looking on and giving feedback as the system development unfolds. STRAP is a real-time implementation of the five principles of business information technology deployment discussed over the past five video blogs.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries. And be sure and sign up to receive notifications when a new video is released. Fill out the Sign Me Up! box and you'll never miss another video.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries. And be sure and sign up to receive notifications when a new video is released. Fill out the Sign Me Up! box and you'll never miss another video.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Principles of Information Technology 5 of 5
October 06, 2014
Has your organization ever experienced the agony of a software implementation -- after the previous one didn't go so well? Do you ever feel like your company is in a vicious circle of software implementation after software implementation?
The fifth principle of Business Information Technology Deployment deals directly with this issue. In this video blog, Martin Ramsay discusses how information systems must be constructed in such a way that they can grow and change, just as our organizations grow and change. Easier said than done, but an important facet of building technology that will not automatically become obsolete.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries. And be sure and sign up to receive notifications when a new video is released. Fill out the Sign Me Up! box and you'll never miss another video.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
The fifth principle of Business Information Technology Deployment deals directly with this issue. In this video blog, Martin Ramsay discusses how information systems must be constructed in such a way that they can grow and change, just as our organizations grow and change. Easier said than done, but an important facet of building technology that will not automatically become obsolete.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries. And be sure and sign up to receive notifications when a new video is released. Fill out the Sign Me Up! box and you'll never miss another video.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Principles of Information Technology 4 of 5
September 29, 2014
Have you ever felt like your data was being held hostage by your information system? You know your data is in there, but you just can't get the information system to give it to you.
In this fourth episode in a series on the five principles Business Information Technology Deployment, Martin Ramsay discusses how we get information OUT of our systems. The third principle focused on capturing data IN to the system. The fourth principle focuses on obtaining access to that data in useful ways to better support business strategies and decision-making. The idea is to turn raw data, locked away inside an information system, into information we can use.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries. And be sure and sign up to receive notifications when a new video is released. Fill out the Sign Me Up! box and you'll never miss another video.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
In this fourth episode in a series on the five principles Business Information Technology Deployment, Martin Ramsay discusses how we get information OUT of our systems. The third principle focused on capturing data IN to the system. The fourth principle focuses on obtaining access to that data in useful ways to better support business strategies and decision-making. The idea is to turn raw data, locked away inside an information system, into information we can use.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries. And be sure and sign up to receive notifications when a new video is released. Fill out the Sign Me Up! box and you'll never miss another video.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Principles of Information Technology 3 of 5
September 22, 2014
Shoshana Zuboff of Harvard coined a term in the 1980s by combining "information" with "automate" to create "informate." A process is "informated" when it both accomplishes a business purpose while at the same time gathering data for the organization.
This is the third in a series of five dedicated to the five principles of Business Information Technology Deployment. The second principle is that "the Business Information Technology System should be informated so that processes require less effort than other systems, creating data that is timely and accurate." In this brief video Martin Ramsay discusses the idea of informating business processes, how to make sure that those processes are used, and some of the techniques used to accomplish that purpose. Watch this video to learn more about how you can help your organization informate processes by following the third principle of Business Information Technology Deployment.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries. And be sure and sign up to receive notifications when a new video is released. Fill out the Sign Me Up! box and you'll never miss another video.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
This is the third in a series of five dedicated to the five principles of Business Information Technology Deployment. The second principle is that "the Business Information Technology System should be informated so that processes require less effort than other systems, creating data that is timely and accurate." In this brief video Martin Ramsay discusses the idea of informating business processes, how to make sure that those processes are used, and some of the techniques used to accomplish that purpose. Watch this video to learn more about how you can help your organization informate processes by following the third principle of Business Information Technology Deployment.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries. And be sure and sign up to receive notifications when a new video is released. Fill out the Sign Me Up! box and you'll never miss another video.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Principles of Information Technology 2 of 5
September 15, 2014
When it comes to minimizing risk, redundancy is a good thing. But, in the field of Business Information Technology Deployment, redundancy is bad.
This is the second in a series of five dedicated to the five principles of Business Information Technology Deployment. The second principle is that "the Business Information Technology System must be non-redundant." In this brief video Martin Ramsay discusses why redundancy (not to be confused with a backup of an information system) is counter-productive, adding cost, decreasing accuracy, and causing many more problems. So many organizations routinely violate this principle to their detriment. Watch this video to learn more about how you can help your organization become more effective by following the second principle of Business Information Technology Deployment.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries. And be sure and sign up to receive notifications when a new video is released. Fill out the Sign Me Up! box and you'll never miss another video.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
This is the second in a series of five dedicated to the five principles of Business Information Technology Deployment. The second principle is that "the Business Information Technology System must be non-redundant." In this brief video Martin Ramsay discusses why redundancy (not to be confused with a backup of an information system) is counter-productive, adding cost, decreasing accuracy, and causing many more problems. So many organizations routinely violate this principle to their detriment. Watch this video to learn more about how you can help your organization become more effective by following the second principle of Business Information Technology Deployment.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries. And be sure and sign up to receive notifications when a new video is released. Fill out the Sign Me Up! box and you'll never miss another video.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Principles of Information Technology 1 of 5
September 08, 2014
This video bog begins a series of five about Martin Ramsay's five principles of Business Information Technology Deployment.
The first principle is that "the Business Information Technology System must model the business it serves." In this brief video Martin discusses why this simple concept is so foundational to understanding and effectively deploying any technology system. Organizations routinely violate this principle, either by poorly modeling the business in the information system, and/or by failing to recognize that the information technology system must serve the organization (and not the other way around).
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
The first principle is that "the Business Information Technology System must model the business it serves." In this brief video Martin discusses why this simple concept is so foundational to understanding and effectively deploying any technology system. Organizations routinely violate this principle, either by poorly modeling the business in the information system, and/or by failing to recognize that the information technology system must serve the organization (and not the other way around).
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Contracts Done Right
July 21, 2014
How do you view contracts? Many people seem to view contracts as the basis upon which they might sue the other party should there be a breach of the agreement. But Martin Ramsay sees it differently. He make the case in this video blog that a contract is actually an opportunity for transparency. By putting down on paper, with as much clarity as possible, what both parties intend to bring to the business relationship, participants in a contract can come to a much better understanding of their expectations of each other.
A contract shouldn't be seen as a method for legal action, but as an opportunity for clarity and understanding.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
A contract shouldn't be seen as a method for legal action, but as an opportunity for clarity and understanding.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Doing Business Like a Partner
July 14, 2014
How do you do business? Do you view other companies and organizations with which you do business with suspicion, as potential adversaries? Or do you view your business partners as true partners, committed to your success just as you are committed to theirs?
In this video blog, Martin Ramsay discusses doing business like a partner and what that would mean for how we treat others.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
In this video blog, Martin Ramsay discusses doing business like a partner and what that would mean for how we treat others.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Build Internal Capabilities
June 23, 2014
One of CEATH Company's dozen or so basic operating principles involves "building internal capabilities." We want to see our clients better able to solve their own problems after an engagement with us than they were before we came. If we fail in that regard, then we have failed as consultants.
So many consultants don't understand this principle. They prefer to build a culture of dependency, one in which it becomes necessary for the client to call the consultant back, again and again. That may be good for business in the short term, but it is not good for the health of the client nor for the overall relationship in the long term.
The same thinking could be applied to companies and customers, governments and citizens, therapists and patients, and more. Watch this week's video blog to get Martin Ramsay's thoughts on building internal capability.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
So many consultants don't understand this principle. They prefer to build a culture of dependency, one in which it becomes necessary for the client to call the consultant back, again and again. That may be good for business in the short term, but it is not good for the health of the client nor for the overall relationship in the long term.
The same thinking could be applied to companies and customers, governments and citizens, therapists and patients, and more. Watch this week's video blog to get Martin Ramsay's thoughts on building internal capability.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Goodbye Coldwater Creek
June 16, 2014
What happened to Coldwater Creek? According to the company web site, "On April 11, 2014, Coldwater Creek filed for bankruptcy in order to facilitate an orderly wind-down of our operations." The move was required because "the Company and its advisors were unable to find a potential buyer for the Company or a source of capital to provide adequate liquidity to fund the Company's ongoing strategic turnaround initiatives."
What happened to the company? In this video blog, Martin Ramsay considers some of the possible reasons for Coldwater Creek's untimely demise. A clue came from a 70 year old clerk who has worked for Coldwater Creek for ten years. Watch this blog to learn what she said. Then judge for yourself whether or not she is on to something ... and what it might mean for your organization.
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Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
What happened to the company? In this video blog, Martin Ramsay considers some of the possible reasons for Coldwater Creek's untimely demise. A clue came from a 70 year old clerk who has worked for Coldwater Creek for ten years. Watch this blog to learn what she said. Then judge for yourself whether or not she is on to something ... and what it might mean for your organization.
post a comment (powered by Disqus)
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Unchanging Principles
February 17, 2014
In a world where change seems to be the only constant, are there things that do not change? We often say that the only things we can know for certain will happen are death and taxes. But surely there is more to it than that, isn't there?
In this video blog, Martin Ramsay uses a winter snow storm as an object lesson for thinking about change -- and things that don't change. He challenges us to consider if there are things that are unchanging and immutable in the face of a world where change is a constant reality.
Discovering principles that are non-negotiable, unchanging constants is an important life skill for everyone to develop. This video blog challenges us to go on that voyage of discovery.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
In this video blog, Martin Ramsay uses a winter snow storm as an object lesson for thinking about change -- and things that don't change. He challenges us to consider if there are things that are unchanging and immutable in the face of a world where change is a constant reality.
Discovering principles that are non-negotiable, unchanging constants is an important life skill for everyone to develop. This video blog challenges us to go on that voyage of discovery.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.