Managing by Maxim

Managing by Maxim

I'm a big fan of maxims, adages, anything that sums up an important, and possibly complex point in a sentence that can convey, if not the whole point, at least a conversation starter. The main challenge for a technology manager is communication, particularly with those who are uninterested and/or threatened by technological terms. I live and breathe this stuff, but I understand that I'm in the ten percent, the ten percent of people who like and are completely comfortable with technology. The rest of the world ranges from averse to highly competent, but not gaga over it all, like I am. Remembering that, and approaching each project and decision with that in mind, has helped me accomplish significant things for people who aren't necessarily bought in to all of my ideas on first listen.

The Lean, Green, Virtualized Machine

The Lean, Green, Virtualized Machine

I normally try to avoid being preachy, but this is too good a bandwagon to stay off of. If you make decisions about technology, at your organization, as a board member, or in your home, then you should decide to green your IT. This is socially beneficial action that you can take with all sorts of side benefits, such as cost savings and further efficiencies. And it's not so much of a new project to take on as it is a set of guidelines and practices to apply to your current plan. Even if my day job wasn't at an organization dedicated to defending our planet, I'd still be writing this post, I'm certain.

Book Report

Book Report

NTEN‘s first book is available for pre-order, and you can find me in it. “Managing Technology to Meet Your Mission:.

From Zero to Sixty: What type of Project Management tool is appropriate?

From Zero to Sixty: What type of Project Management tool is appropriate?

Here’s another recent Idealware entry (from 9/25/2008). Note that the Idealware post has a healthy comment stream. It seems like.

The $10/hr Dilemma

The $10/hr Dilemma

Everybody who enjoys calling tech support, raise your hand. No one? As a long-time IT Director, who came up through.

Should Non-profits Seed Software Development?

Should Non-profits Seed Software Development?

There were a ton of interesting side topics that came up at the Salesforce Non-Profit Roadmap event, but a few.

Mapping NP Salesforce

Mapping NP Salesforce

Day one of the Salesforce Roadmap session was a well-crafted, but fairly standard run at typical strategic planning. Hosted by.

Lessons Learned: Effective Practices In IT Management

Lessons Learned: Effective Practices In IT Management

This article was first published on the NTEN Blog in May of 2007. Peter Campbell, TechCafeteria.com I’ve spent more than.

Are there barriers to effective non-profit management?

Are there barriers to effective non-profit management?

Last week, I jumped pretty deep into a debate on the perennial “Should non-profits run more like for-profit businesses?” question..

Free as in "Hurricanes"

Free as in "Hurricanes"

As NPTech community members have heard, a brilliant metaphor was coined the other day by Karen Schneider in her excellent.