The ever-increasing development and use of technology within businesses brings about the need for the appropriate infra-structure to support such equipments. The most common types of support systems for an entire business information system are the data centers or “computer rooms.” Every medium to large business that holds a network of electronic information systems needs a data room to hold mainframes and/or servers. These structures are essential to the functioning of the entire information system and they have been growing exponentially in accordance with the increase in technology usage around the world. However, being able to maintain and develop such structure requires a lot of energy and contingency planning.
As the number of data centers increase world-wide we are faced with some disquieting issues. Energy consumption is a huge business and social issue, as businesses have to pay higher electric bills and the demand for electricity in cities/states/countries increases. The cooling systems associated with data centers are also an issue, provided that its overheating leads to the system’s failure and the consequences may hit business and society hard – for example, a hospital information system should always be operational. As these issues become more evident consequences of data center support systems, the opportunity door opens for the solutions within this arena.
Some solutions are quite simple. IT managers have software options that conserve power through shutting computers off when not in use. New operation systems are being designed to provide clients with enhanced sleep features, which will soon become a standard. Hardware solutions are also available, such as thin client computers, which brings us back to the time where computers were connected to (nowadays) super-mainframes. In regards to overheating problems, some companies are choosing to invest in cooling solutions that range from intelligent air conditioning systems to customized air pipes containing waterless refrigerant.
These solutions obviously come at a cost to companies. Investing on an entire air conditioning system may be very expensive, but the system may pay itself off over the years. Other paybacks are shorter, such as when implementing energy saving software that may trim up to 50 percent of energy bills – it all depends on the business. The new sleep options that come with the newer operating systems are basically a value-added feature that will be common in the near future, as the energy consumption issue becomes more evident. Businesses will have more solutions as the embedded systems industry keeps striving to develop microchips that require less and less energy.
Green computing is a new trend that is here to stay. Green computing is about maximizing an information system’s efficiency while ensuring its reliability; what business does not need that? The average manager may be unaware of the opportunity of resources allocation that green computing brings, which is why businesses should definitely explore this arena. This is why companies such as Verizon, Google, Microsoft, HSBC and Hewlett Packard are investing heavily in green computing solutions. As a manager, you should explore green computing opportunities as a way to save your company money while ensuring that its information systems will remain reliable and efficient.
Um Pouco de Tudo
Monday, January 30, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Know who you want to know
New York Times bestselling author and marketing guru Michael Port describes in his article "Know who you want to know" the importance of knowing the business or person that you are contacting. He starts out the article describing a personal experience with someone that approached him asking for business, but who was poorly prepared knowledge-wise. Mr. Port claims that approaching someone without gaining some business intelligence first is worse than simply being ineffective; it is also a turnoff.
Mr. Port describes tactics in order to be well a prepared salesperson based on these business intelligence concepts. He reinforces that a good salesperson must show up in the know with all the people that they want to know. As long as you are prepared confidence and effectiveness will naturally come to you. The author lists seven tactics in order to implement the ideas discussed in the article.
First of all, you should know what motivates the person you want to know. It might be business, family or hobbies. Then, you have to research what they’ve accomplished, which can be done through an online search. Thirdly, find out what you have in common – how are your paths crossed? It is also important to know who they know, since both of you might have mutual friends/contacts. Also, try to find out what challenges them, such as knowing the competition they face in business. To wrap it up, you should let them know how they have helped you (be complimentary) and let them know why you are indispensable.
Implication
Mr. Port points out in this article one of the most important aspects of business, which is business intelligence. Knowing who you’re dealing with in depth is not only a sign of business knowledge, but also a notice of respect and interest. In-depth knowledge should not be overly invasive, but good enough to appreciably touch people’s emotions. In the end, these impressions and reactions do influence in business decisions and could be a differential factor in a negotiation, sale, or meeting.
The author provided us with seven hints to be more effective and remarkable in regards to business intelligence. Finding out what motivates your contacts can be easily done by noticing their office surroundings. Books, pictures, and other things sitting on their desks are a good clue. Try to learn from them what they are genuinely interested in. It is fairly simple to assess what they’ve accomplished through online search engines (Google, Bing, and Yahoo!) and online networking websites (LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter) currently available. You can see peoples’ faces and learn what awards, public recognitions, or publication announcements exist in regards to them. Based off of that, you can also do your search for commonalities and become more connected to the individual(s) through your common interests.
Luckily, the online options available cover many of the important aspects of business intelligence. Through these tools you can also easily learn about who they know, and thus assess further connections you may have. Do you have same Facebook friends or Twitter followers? This is a great way to stay connected! Online search engines are an easy way to find their competitor’s websites and learn more about what challenges your target people. In the end, it is important to be appreciative of the support you have received. Let them know how their work and opinions have affected you through a thank you note, e-mail, or phone call. Lastly, make sure to re-state that you are indispensable to them by letting them know why you believe that your help will make their lives easier, better, fuller with the benefits of your product/service.
Gustavo Stille MBA
Mr. Port describes tactics in order to be well a prepared salesperson based on these business intelligence concepts. He reinforces that a good salesperson must show up in the know with all the people that they want to know. As long as you are prepared confidence and effectiveness will naturally come to you. The author lists seven tactics in order to implement the ideas discussed in the article.
First of all, you should know what motivates the person you want to know. It might be business, family or hobbies. Then, you have to research what they’ve accomplished, which can be done through an online search. Thirdly, find out what you have in common – how are your paths crossed? It is also important to know who they know, since both of you might have mutual friends/contacts. Also, try to find out what challenges them, such as knowing the competition they face in business. To wrap it up, you should let them know how they have helped you (be complimentary) and let them know why you are indispensable.
Implication
Mr. Port points out in this article one of the most important aspects of business, which is business intelligence. Knowing who you’re dealing with in depth is not only a sign of business knowledge, but also a notice of respect and interest. In-depth knowledge should not be overly invasive, but good enough to appreciably touch people’s emotions. In the end, these impressions and reactions do influence in business decisions and could be a differential factor in a negotiation, sale, or meeting.
The author provided us with seven hints to be more effective and remarkable in regards to business intelligence. Finding out what motivates your contacts can be easily done by noticing their office surroundings. Books, pictures, and other things sitting on their desks are a good clue. Try to learn from them what they are genuinely interested in. It is fairly simple to assess what they’ve accomplished through online search engines (Google, Bing, and Yahoo!) and online networking websites (LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter) currently available. You can see peoples’ faces and learn what awards, public recognitions, or publication announcements exist in regards to them. Based off of that, you can also do your search for commonalities and become more connected to the individual(s) through your common interests.
Luckily, the online options available cover many of the important aspects of business intelligence. Through these tools you can also easily learn about who they know, and thus assess further connections you may have. Do you have same Facebook friends or Twitter followers? This is a great way to stay connected! Online search engines are an easy way to find their competitor’s websites and learn more about what challenges your target people. In the end, it is important to be appreciative of the support you have received. Let them know how their work and opinions have affected you through a thank you note, e-mail, or phone call. Lastly, make sure to re-state that you are indispensable to them by letting them know why you believe that your help will make their lives easier, better, fuller with the benefits of your product/service.
Gustavo Stille MBA
Friday, August 12, 2011
Coréia do Norte: Economia de drogas, armas e dólares falsos
Esta semana saiu uma reportagem na NPR (National Public Radio) falando sobre a economica internacional da Coréia do Norte. O país do excêntrico Kim-Jong-Il é notório por suas práticas economicas nada corretas, sempre apoiadas por seu parceiro ideológico e fronteiriço, a China.
A reportagem em questão fala sobre a história de uma Norte-Coreana que, durante anos, trabalhou no departamento de “negócios internacionais” do país comunista. A reportagem evidencia que durante anos, especialmente durante os anos 80 e 90, a Coréia do Norte era um dos maiores exportadores de ópio no mundo – junto com o Afeganistão. Ela conta sobre plantações e fábricas em larga escala para processar a droga, que sempre era contrabandeada para da China e de lá para o mundo. Atualmente, o ópio já não é tão popular e a droga mais exportada passou a ser as metanfetaminas (“ice” em inglês).
A Norte-Coreana também explicou que a Coreia do Norte é a maior falsificadora de dólares americanos no mundo. Conhecido como “super dollar”, as notas falsificadas na Coréia do Norte são sempre as de 100 dólares. Ninguém é bobo de aceitar uma nota de 100 dólares de um Norte-Coreano, e é ai que a China entra na jogada de novo. As notas são contrabandeadas para a China aonde existem compradores que, cientes da falsificação, compram cada nota falsa de 100 dólares por 60 dólares legítimos. Os contrabandistas então voltam a Coréia do Norte e devolvem os dólares trocados ao governo. Tudo é facilidato na fronteira entre China e Coréia do Norte.
Por último, também se sabe que a Coréia do Norte é um dos maiores exportadores (ilegalmente) de armas no mundo. Para se ter uma idéia, grupos da revolução Síria acharam caixas Norte Coreanas nos bunkers dos exércitos de Khadafi que seriam de “transmissões de tratores.” Não existem fábricas de tratores na Coréia do Norte. Ao abrir as caixas, evidentemende, encontraram granadas, bombas, metralhadoras e outras armas. Também especula-se que a Coréia do Norte possa estar exportando a tecnologia de armamento nuclear, o que seria crítico.
Kim Jong Il é famoso por ser contrabandista. O povo Norte-Coreano não sabe, mas sabe-se que o líder comunista contrabadeia tudo o que pode. Ipods, conhaque, Mercedez-Benz e outros items de luxo são alguns dos exemplos dos contrabandos exclusivos para membros de sua família e o alto escalão Norte-Coreano. Enquanto isso, a vasta maioria dos 30 milhões de Norte-Coreanos morre de fome pelo país afora e não faz idéia do que se passa.
Para se ter uma idéia de como a situação é crítica, a população da Coréia do Norte tem índices altíssimos de cataratas nos olhos de seus jovens. A condição se desenvolve prematuramente devido especialmente a má nutrição da população e jovens de 20 a 30 anos já estão ficando praticamente cegos – pois não existe tratamento adequado no país.
A Norte-Coreana da reportagem conta, por último, que depois de tantas viagens de contrabando a China ela começou a notar como o padrão de vida da população (apesar de não ser dos melhores) era muito melhor do que na Coréia do Norte. Em uma de suas viagens ela foi e nunca mais voltou.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Obama - A caminho da reeleição?
Hoje pela manhã eu escutei no rádio que o Obama irá fazer uma visita a fábrica da Chrysler aqui em Ohio. O encontro é significante pois a Chrysler foi uma das empresas que recebeu parte do dinheiro do plano de resgate econômico promovido pelo governo Americano em 2009. Na época, em uma decisão polêmica, o governo decidiu comprar grande parte da empresa (e suas dívidas) como empréstimo a ser pago em um período inicialmente previsto para 7 anos. Atualmente a Chrysler já é uma empresa lucrativa novamente e, semana passada, re-comprou a parte da empresa que foi cedida ao governo na época do resgate econômico – uma antecipação de 5 anos! A visita do presidente a fábrica da Chrysler é uma oportunidade simbólica que reafirma que o plano econômico montado pelo governo Americano deu certo e protegeu o emprego de milhares de trabalhadores na indústria automobilistica – principalmente se considerarmos todos os fornecedores da Chrysler, que também estariam no buraco caso a empresa quebrasse.
Vale lembrar que o desemprego nos EUA ainda varia entre 8% e 9%. Os preços de imóveis continuam a cair e a econômia vem crescendo em um ritmo que varia entre 2.5% a 3.5% a cada trimestre. Se pensarmos com calma, a situação não é tão desesperadora assim e a evolução do país nestes últimos 3 anos é realmente de se orgulhar se levarmos em consideração a gravidade da crise de 2009.
É mais uma vitória do governo Obama que, em 2009, sofreu duras críticas por ajudar empresas como Chrysler e GM. Agora a história já é bem diferente. Até mesmo empresas que não receberam ajuda financeira do governo, como a Ford, foram capazes de se reinventar e já estão registrando lucros novamente. Fato é que, como Obama mesmo diz, os Americanos tem uma capacidade incrível de se reinventar e transcender sérios problemas em prol do bem estar da nação. Foi assim na segunda guerra mundial, quando os EUA passaram de força naval tímida na época do ataque a Pearl Harbor para a maior marinha do mundo apenas 18 meses depois – fato importantíssimo para a vitória na guerra do Pacífico. O poderio econômico deste país é realmente incrível.
Esta notícia vem em boa hora para Obama que cada vez mais ganha força para a reeleição. Os Republicanos ainda não tem um candidato a altura para concorrer a presidência. Se cogitou na possibilidade de o bilionário falastrão Donald Trump pintar como candidato dos Republicanos, mas acabou que tudo era muito mais marketing do que qualquer outra coisa. Pena, pois talvez ele fosse o candidato agressivo que os Republicanos precisariam para bater de frente com Obama, que é sempre eficiente e eloquente em seus debates. A morte de Osama Bin Laden pode ter sido a cereja no bolo de Obama, que agora esta bem munido de argumentos para os sua campanha presidencial. O atual presidente tem tudo o que o povo quer ouvir: os EUA estão saindo do buraco economicamente e, finalmente, vingaram o 11 de Setembro desarticulando as grandes forças terroristas anti-EUA.
Cabe agora aos Republicanos acharem um candidato de calibre para as eleiçoes de 2012. John Boehner, presidente do Congresso Americano aparece como uma opção de peso por ser figura forte no partido Republicano. Boehner, que é nativo do estado de Ohio, é critíco assíduo de projetos polêmicos do governo Obama como a reforma na saúde, o resgate econômico e a retirada das tropas do Afeganistão e Iraque. Outro nome que surge forte na briga presidencial é o da Republicana Sarah Palin, que hoje em dia tem até reality show nos EUA e esbanja popularidade. Idependente de quem seja, a briga vai ser boa. Argumentos não vão faltar e o público Americano certamente vai ficar divido. Quem viver, verá.
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