Ming as a Software Entrepreneur

I like this video. It cheers me up.

Need to re-learn and apply this:

Sow a thought and you reap an action;
sow an action and you reap a habit;
sow a habit and you reap a character;
sow a character and you reap a destiny.

-- Emerson, Ralph Waldo

Labels: Ralph Waldo

From some self examing and reading, I found out my learning style is "Concrete Random" and the Concrete Random individual:

• Is highly curious
• Finds out-of-ordinary answers to problems
• Seems driven to say or do things in a way others have not
• Is a risk-taker
• Likes to discover my own way of doing things; must test things for myself
  
• Is extremely independent and competitive with myself
• Prefers to investigate and experiment; enjoys hands-on experimenting
• Skips steps and details
• Shows original creativity; has varied and unusual ideas
• Has multiple projects going at once
• Finds possibilities, creates change
• Is notorious for not reading directions or instructions
• Fears structure

And I'm stretched for the following:

• Pacing and meeting time limitations
• Completing projects
• Choosing one answer
• Keeping detailed records
• Prioritizing
• Accepting others’ ideas without showing another way
• Accepting when change is impossible

I have to say it's about 90% correct describing my ways of thinking. There are a few things which I have to overcome, like prioritizing and organizing. Sounds scary for I'm running a business.

We moved to a new office. Much bigger space and functional. Lots of windows in the developers' office and we have a boardroom to conduct business meetings.

Just received a copy of Computing Canada in the mail. Check out this article, Executive Roundtable-Building better business ties. It's a good read. Here are some excerpt from the article about the job of CIO. The bolded are the notes to myself since I'm acting as a CIO/CTO of my company.

"Be a business manager first and then technology can fit in from there."

"Your job is not only to manage the IT department, it is also to be a great communicator to the operations side of the business."

"The CIO has to be a member of the executive team and involved in business decisions as much as the CEO, the COO or the CFO."

"They have to be passionate about the project they have to have the time to communicate."

There is a Golden Rule: "Treat others the way you want to be treated".

Blessed are the ones who know the Platinum Rule: "Treat others the way They want to be treated".

This is so crucial for business so that you will have satisfied employee and customers.

Here is a list to start:

• communication
• figure out priorities
• set expectation and eliminate surprises
• plan ahead (includes planning for resources and potential issues)
  
• take away barriers
• execution
  
• any more?

It's funny that management can be anywhere, like telling your wife you'll be late for dinner. That's communication and setting expectation.

OK. I'm writing this to myself. Every business owner should spend less time doing but more time managing.

If you are busy doing, will you have any time planning, managing and all other strategic stuff for your business? The sad fact is that many businesses went under because they were too busy doing and things went out of control. Unfortunately, it usually happens when the business is growing.