I was reminded of how unorganized and off-the-cuff I used to be when reading this good article on the Getting Things Done in the New York Times. My life was a lot different before I had a “system”. By “system” I mean how I would manage the work I do. I’m not referring specifically to software [...]
A special customer
We have lot’s of customers who are special to us. Some of them we can name and some of them we can’t. One of the customers we can name is Gleason & Associates. I was in their offices recently working with a director and a manager on a project. While walking around the office and [...]
How I Use Nozbe – Part 2
In a previous post I discussed that I have been using Nozbe to manage a lot of what I do for my company. After that post I ended up posting that I met Michael, the author and owner of Noze and it’s company at a great software conference. I’ll continue with Part 2 of the [...]
Look for me on the Pirates jumbotron
If you’re at a Pirates baseball game this season look for me on the jumbotron before the games. I bought season tickets this year so that my wife, Allison, and I could go to lot’s of games. We’ve been getting more into baseball. What makes games really interesting and fun is to score them using [...]
When to estimate a software project’s cost?
Here are several questions and answers regarding estimating custom software application projects with customers. This topic is something I have spent a lot of time thinking about over the past years. Q: When should a software developer or company estimate the cost of the software and tell the prospective customer? A: As early as possible. [...]
Is your Chamber of Commerce good for growing your business?
Yesterday I was at a New Member Orientation meeting of a local chamber of commerce that I just joined, the Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce. I realized at that meeting that it would be a good thing if I were to become more active in the organization. I had this small revelation as a result [...]
When is custom software the next step? The answer
I the last post I was talking about when custom software might be the next step in the progression of using software to track and report on data about one’s business. To continue… That next level is a software application which uses a database to store the data behind the scenes. That software will display forms to [...]
When is custom software the next step? After Excel?
When is a custom software application the next appropriate step after the current solution you’re using to run your department or business? This is a question I’m asked frequently. I have also seen this situation quite frequently as well. It comes from people who are trying to run their business with tools that were easy [...]
What I learned at Waffle House
My wife, Allison, and I recently went to baseball spring training in Bradenton, Florida, the springtime home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. We stayed at an inexpensive hotel. Right across the street was the Waffle House. As we sat at the counter we were kind of amazed at how quick our orders for breakfast came, and how [...]
Networking still works
I have rediscovered networking, and have changed my approach. I try to have a focus and am selective in where and how I network. We have just joined the Monroeville Chamber of Commerce. So we’re now proud, card carrying members. We also rejoined the Pittsburgh Technology Council. Both are great organizations within which one can network [...]