Vertigo / Group

A Generation Misunderstood

Business

Generation Y has to be the most misunderstood generation in recent history, at least within the last four generations. Not just from an affinity toward technology, but the manner in which they work and the means in which they communicate.

The greatest of these misunderstandings is the perception of work ethic. Previous generations feel Millennials are lazy and spend too much time away from the “office” or conversing via social networks. However, I challenge Generation X’ers or even Baby Boomers to produce the same output of a Millennial.

Millennials have proven to be more adept to multitasking than previous generations and have the technical aptitude to be more productive in less time than previous generations. Furthermore, unlike Generation X’ers where work/money/status is the paramount goal, Millennials value time more than anything. More importantly, they value the free time they do have to tasks of personal fulfillment. When they work, they work. When they play, they play. Most times, both are attained simultaneously with no adverse effect on productivity.

What baffles Generation X’ers is Millennials wish to be measured by performance and output and not by office hours and the constraints of the corporate status quo. Recent advancements in technology have paved the way for workers to now work remotely from any location in the world. Whether it is a coffee shop or the comfort of ones own home, traditional office hours are now only a requirement of the stiff Generation X’ers and Baby Boomers in a feeble attempt to control the incontrollable.

As Generation X’ers get older and work their way to higher positions within an organization as a result from the Baby Boomers retiring, more and more Millennials will be entering the workforce. This will force Generation X’ers to accept Millennial work practices and work/life balance outlook on life.

Depending on the organization, the organizational hierarchy, and job function, not all positions have the ability to work as they wish, especially in traditional brick and mortar businesses. However, a vast amount of work can be produced away from the office. Like the number of hours one needs for sleep varies from person to person, so do the hours one is most productive. For instance, I work best and produce the most between 5AM to 1PM and from 8PM to 3AM. So then why do department heads insist on forcing one to meet the traditional 9 to 5 structure?

The revolution is coming and Generation X’ers have but two options; embrace the change and encourage new perspectives, or fight an uphill, unwinnable battle.

Choose wisely.

Numbers Don’t Lie; Researchers Do.

Analytics, Metrics, Research

We have all heard the expression that numbers lie, especially when being applied to statistics. I beg to differ. The quality of the statistics is only as good as the researcher collecting and processing the data. The key to accurate statistics is asking the right questions and then applying proper correlation techniques.

Case in point. I recently read an article on the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) website about a non-scientific survey pertaining to the iPhone finally coming to the Verizon network. Now, reading the survey at face value, it showed that over 70% of users are willing to switch networks and feel the addition of Verizon is a good thing, or so implied by the WSJ.

Here in lies the problem; what specifically is being asked? The WSJ is asking two questions in one. In short, they are asking participants if they are willing to switch networks—from AT&T to Verizon—and are they going to be purchasing a new phone based on the aforementioned information? Number 1, the multipronged question should’ve been asked independently, and secondly, there is little correlation between the questions.

Based on the population size of the survey—roughly 10,000 participants—there is a lot of room for error. Meaning, participants answering the single question, but only responding to the second part affect the overall ratio because of a small population size. So, if most users are simply interested in purchasing a new phone, it also implies that users will be switching from AT&T to Verizon.

As noted above, trusted correlation cannot be attained through two questions. Additional questions needed to be asked; such as contract termination, consideration of contract termination, maximum contract termination fee the participant is willing to pay, satisfaction level with AT&T, participants current carrier, etc…

The critical aspect of simply viewing surveys and polls is to ask how the survey was constructed? What questions were asked? Survey population size. Survey demographics and so forth. The numbers are always correct; it is the researcher or analyst that fucks them up. Sometimes purposefully.

Optimal Number of Monitors to Increase Productivity?

Experiments, Observations, Research, Technology

In my last post, I explained how one of my monitors temporarily went belly-up. Up until that point, I was running a 3-monitor setup using Apple Cinema Displays. My rationale for having a triple-monitor setup was simple; boost productivity. I felt I was more productive.

I was wrong. While I was repairing one of the three monitors, it forced me to transition to two. While it certainly removed the “cool” factor of having a three monitors setup, I found that I was beginning to be more productive, much more productive.

Once my third monitor was repaired, I decided to leave it off to the side while I continued testing the dual-monitor setup. Here is what I found:

1. It forced me to utilize my desktop space more efficiently
2. It made me focus on the task-at-hand without the distractions of other open applications
3. It removed info-saturation
4. It removed peripheral distractions as the human eye simply cannot see all monitors simultaneously
5. It reduced the eye strain and neck strain of continually moving my head from side-to-side
6. Most of all, it forced me to think about what applications I really need open

For some, 3, 4, 5 monitor setups are optimal, but for me, I will stick with 2 and be infinitely happier.

Apple Cinema Display: Short, Long, Short Light Indication

Technology

Short post, but I thought I would share nevertheless. I recently had an issue with one of my Apple Cinema displays where the screen would not turn on, but the power indicator would show three distinctive light indications; short duration, long duration, short duration.

Many thought their monitor was hosed, but I didn’t give up the search. I found an article about it being related to the power supply and by carefully placing a piece of paper to disconnect the ground, the monitor would work: tried this and only got it working once.

Bottom line, replace the 90watt power supply that came with your Cinema display with a 150watt power supply that comes with the 30” Cinema display and the monitor will come back from the dead. I do not know why this works, but it does. Hope this helps.

By the way, you can pickup a 150watt power supply on eBay for about $60.

Be Different, Not Better

Musings

In the world of business, especially startups, it is far more important to be different than better. Why? People don’t trust you…yet. Just starting out your initial client base most likely will be small. So small that word of mouth hasn’t traveled very far or wide. Sure, you could spend large sums of money on marketing and advertising, or you could take your money out of the bank, throw it into a large dumpster on main street and set it on fire and see which attracts more attention. Why should I trust hiring your company? Because I saw your pathetic advertisement on TV or a trade publication or heard some lame radio spot? No one is going to trust you. Heck, they haven’t even heard of you! I knew someone that named their company based on it showing up first in the phonebook. Keep in mind this is a tech company naming their business after a paper-form phonebook. Yeah, I’ll hire you… And I wont even tell you about the radio spots they have as it still makes my side hurt.

When starting out, you can’t be better, nor do you want to present this image. It only shows a lack of knowledge, overinflated arrogance, and flat out deception. I don’t care that your a “rock star” with computers or a guru in business. Until you’ve proven yourself against the businesses that have been around for years; you’re nothing.

You alter this perception and image by being different. I’m not talking about carving out a niche, I’m talking about being different. The advantage of being a small business is you can meet clients needs without the bureaucratic bullshit. Your business is maneuverable, can move fast, and have less to lose. These are great positions to be in. Furthermore, by being different, you make your business stand out.

Be passionate about your service or product. Be genuine and people will see the difference. Don’t hire someone to do the selling for you. Only you have the passion and the drive to see the your business succeed. In fact, I firmly believe in never hiring someone to do a job that you can easily do yourself unless it impacts your ability to grow the business.

For service based businesses, one of the best ways to be different is to NEVER charge by the hour. Yes, you read that correctly, NEVER charge by the hour. It is a conflict of interest. Charge by milestone only after the client is happy with the progress or work performed. Better yet, charge by savings. Only charge the client by taking a percentage of the savings your services provided. If you saved the company $10,000, charge them 10% or 15% or 20% of the total savings. Clients like this as they are not taking on any additional risk, you are. This shows how confident you are in your ability to get the job done, and get it done right.

Don’t worry about the competition: you’ll always be onestep behind, following trends, instead of setting them.