FAQ

• Q: This is a one-person company. Who handles my project if something happens to you?

  A: I have a number of people linked to me on LinkedIn that can do the job. There are also members from organizations where I am currently a member. Also there are members from the ICCA (dissolved due to the economy in December 2009) ie: Howard Eichenwald (some of them linked on the LinkedIn profile).

  Q: Why should we use your services? After all I may not know a lot about computers, but I do know that all I have to do is flip some switches and press some buttons to do anything that I want.

  A: This is partially true. The results will differ depending upon when the person flips the switches, presses the buttons, and what processes are doing at the time. In large corporations, if the actions occur too quickly the worst is all systems stop and the customers are lining up on the street or calling the Chairman of the Board. I am paid to determine what data processes are dependent upon. This includes determining the best time to implement process changes to minimize the adverse impact to end customers, other processes, and the process being changed.

  Q: What are the lessons that you have learned in the business?

  A: I have six top lessons. They are:

  1. Follow the second rule of programming. Do not assume anything. Research all possible outcomes, impacts, and interfaces to minimize adverse customer impact and maximize the ongoing success of the process.

  2. Ask again and again if still not sure. No question is stupid. It is better to “bug” people with many questions than trying to correct a problem after implementation when a customer has called the chairman of the company.

  3. Design with the future in mind. The global marketplace is always creating new business opportunities and processes must be able to adapt quickly for companies to benefit.

  4. Understand all government regulations that apply to the process. Local, regional, national, and international laws must be reviewed to determine the ones that apply to the process.

  5. Install controls to monitor all costs and data changes in the process.

  6. Errors and omissions happen. Therefore, understand the process thoroughly to be able to design a “Plan of Attack (POA)” for emergencies and future changes.

  Q: What is your greatest weakness?

  A: My greatest weakness is that I am visual. I like diagrams, documents, and flow charts.

  Q: How do you feel about outsourcing?

  A: Outsourcing can be good if done for the right reasons. We all do it. No one makes all of their own food and clothes from scratch anymore. We all go to the stores and buy goods made by someone else because that is better than us doing it. However, there are trade-offs. We lose some control over the quality, availability of the product, and price. These have to be considered when outsourcing.

  Q: Where can I hear the My Technology Lawyer radio shows?

  A:  By clicking here you can visit the My Technology Lawyer Radio site and see past program listings, guests names, and listen. The program on April 19, 2007 (hear program) included Neal Miller of Miller Systems, Inc and Scott Hendison of Search Commander, search engine consultant. I am the second guest on the 11:00 AM June 9, 2007 program from the ICCA Conference in Chicago (hear program).