Quick Updates

Holy Cats!!

It's has been forever since I posted anything but wanted to quickly share an update.

Still working on my "Invest in Failure" post where I share my thoughts that defining what failure looks like early in a project can be just as important as understanding success.
Systems that we implement just not get a free pass they have achieved up time we should game them for failure and test to ensure they not just another IT money pit.

I got a job! I am the e-commerce, internet marketing, technology slash Duke of Digital for Bodo Wellness Technology www.bodo.ca. 
The site is well ... err ... let's just say it's one of the reasons I am helping them.
I get to really dive into my passion for marketing, analytic, content and even programming so I am really stoked!

Check them out over the next few months as I help turn their online presence into a dynamic wellness content portal!

What am I learning well the list long:
1. Python.
2. Django.
4. Git and GitHub.
5. Heroku.
6. Expression Engine.
7. Blogging and Social Medial for Business.
8. Adobe CS5.
9. More Analytics.
.... and I know I must be forgetting something ....

I guess the resume worked eh?

Change is the only constant.

Unless you are talking about k ...

I know, trite and contrived but appropriate given my current situation.

The company I work for just went out of business which means the job hunt is on.

I would love to tell you that this does not bum me out royally or have me worried as all get out.

That would be a bald face lie, I’m scared and bummed.

What is my reaction? Get busy!  

Iterating over my resume with what seemed like a hundred times, talking to recruiters I quickly came to the conclusion that my resume sucked.

 Why?

It didn’t capture me.  I’m on the phone or meeting these people and they are shocked (in a good way) at who I really am vs. the resume.

Yeah I’m geek but love to talk, teach think about business and marketing and engage socially and and…

So with the help of some people I know, trust and love, I wrote a profile statement I hope it captures some of who I am:

An experienced technology leader who brings professionalism, integrity and commitment to collaborate and partner closely with customers, colleagues, business leaders C-level executives; working to deliver people-friendly solutions that achieve and surpass client user experience and business and financial goals. A passionate, analytic technologist, relishing challenges and solving problems using global understanding and a willingness to grow professionally in order to conceptualize, develop and deliver innovative technological solutions. An energetic team and consensus builder, using strength as a trainer and communicator to motivate and enhance the technological productivity and skill levels of colleagues.

What do you think?

I want to get better at failing!

I was going to blog about my new kindle but Seth’s blog really hit me between the eyes. 

I remember starting out and hiding from failure.  Perhaps it came from my time in the military where failing is … well … less than accepted.  It more likely came from my earlier insecurities about who I am/was and how good/not good I am/was. (Confused yet?)

This ties in well with my theme of continued education so I thought I would run with it.

Pealing back the onion I guess I had a fear of authority.  Growing up with a single mom (like a lot us) Young human parents with issues of their own; I remember working on projects with my Dad that seemed be wellspring of frustration for both of us.  Somewhere between my childhood and early adulthood I got the silly notion that it was better to not try than fail and mated it the equally idiotic idea that if you were silly enough to attempt something don’t get caught when you screw up. 

No blame here just self-observation.

Having to get off my ass and feed my family tends to motivate me in strange ways.   I started to spend more time looking inward and understanding.  When we stop being so serious about ourselves we begin to learn.   

You’re not so dependent on being right. 

You don’t have a death grip on own ideas.  

… and your wife likes you a lot more.

Failing fast and learning fast are two things that live together quite well.

I would encourage reading Seth’s post about this and like my wife says to me “Get over yourself!”

After you've done your best

(and it didn't work) Seth Godin

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/11/after-youve-done-your-best.html

In the beginning

Despite the religious sound of the this post I will endeavor never to be that way about any of the many interests that I have.

I hope you are ready for a journey because I am!
Hopefully I don't give people whip lash with the different topics and interests I intend to explore.

I debated calling this the ADD blog but that is probably taken ... ;)

Anyway, I will attempt whenever possible to draw some sort of connection between what may seem like the random meanderings of a middle aged man.

Here we go!

Learning a tonne about SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and inbound marketing this week.  "SEO is the active practice of optimizing a web site by improving internal and external aspects in order to increase the traffic the site receives from search engines"  http://www.seomoz.org/beginners-guide-to-seo.  Using the http://inboundmarketing.com program this week and intend to write the exam by the end of the week as a jumping off point to a more formal education in the subject.

The intersection for me is continued learning.  I started programming when I was 14 and I have never stopped learning about technology, this has kept me relevant and given me a perspective on technology that I believe is unique.  Marketing has always captured my interests.  I love to speak and I love introducing new ideas to people and I believe the core of marketing is teaching.  It may be value of the product or a person or simply a concept.  Presenting ideas in ways that engage and excite gets me fired up!  I am a huge fan of guys like Seth Goden http://sethgodin.typepad.com/ and Mitch Joel http://www.twistimage.com/blog/.  When these guys introduce ideas I say to myself "OH YEAH!"

It's like they uncover ideas that were just awaiting the proper trigger within me.
That is teaching.

These past couple years I have been gradually extending my marketing and internet knowledge.  This led me to dive into google analytics www.google/analytics .
I worked for the company the built Crystal Reports so analysis is like a long time friend.

Now back to the learning, today's lesson blogging mmm I should try that!