Google TV

Thank you, Google [GTV] for having the decency to begin the process of diligently explaining your master plan of systematically infiltrating and controlling every aspect of our lives. Up until this point, we all knew it was happening but couldn't quite put our fingers on it. Well throw that proverbial baby out with the bathwater, because Google has once again flexed its muscles in unveiling its most recent technological supplement: Google TV. Looks like all of those reconnaissance missions under the guise of Google Earth have provided the much needed confirmation that the people are finally ready to have YouTube streamlined to their faces while they sit back on their couches. Thank you, Google. Once again you've managed to improve the efficiency of our laziness. The pesky extra effort it took to walk from the living room to bedroom to grab the laptop had begun to pose a serious threat of light perspiration.

Strong Leadership Is Vital In Implementation

Continuing the conversation about the Cisco case involving implementing ERP, you can't understate the value of strong leadership. Regardless of whether you view their success as dumb luck or pure genius, it is undeniable that the implementation would have failed without the strong leadership that was present on both sides throughout. From Cisco's standpoint, the buy in was palpable. People's jobs were on the line, and it was up to Pete Solvik to make sure that the ERP was a success. Pulling people from across the various business units was critical in establishing the project as a business wide endeavor. As far as the vendors and software providers go, their leadership was equally valuable. They were invested in this project from the very beginning. I think the take away here for future managers is that, as we are faced with similar decisions and options, we have to find ways to leverage partnerships and relationships to make sure that there is PERSONAL leadership involved. If both sides of an implementation have personal ties to the success of the project, it will end well in spite of technological problems and obstacles.

Outsourcing Musing

Nike, the largest distributor of athletic shoes in the world, outsources 100 percent of it's function of manufacturing shoes. Initially, this struck me as odd and counterintuitive since it seems like that is what Nike is all about: making shoes. As I looked deeper, however, I realized that what Nike is really all about is research and development in athletic apparel technology and post-production marketing. The actual shoe production ancillary to what Nike's true core competency. This example shows the importance of fully understanding what your company is, what it does, and which functions are core and which are auxiliary.