New Office

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.

Building better business ties

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."

Platinum Rule

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.

What is Management about?

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.

E-Myth

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.

Characteristics of Successful Software Companies

Picasa Web Album

I've just signed up to Google's new Picasa Web Album and upload some photos. It's very cool and easy way to share my photo from my Picasa Desktop. It only gives 250MB free space. It seems small to me but I like this feature so far.

Check out my web album.

Ten Leadership Lessons from David Bentall

1. Failure isn't final
2. Don't blame your team
3. Focus on one thing
4. Lead from your character
5. Submit to authority
6. Read
7. Write down your goals
8. Be tenacious
9. Champions stair-step their goals
10. Be an encourager

Trip to Vancouver

I'm gonna bring my family to Vancouver for a short visit at the end of this month. Just days before I got notified that Harmony Airways (the original airline we were going to take) had cancelled the flight. We had been assigned to take Westjet airline instead but the flight will be at 8:00 am (ouch!)

Travelling with kids requires a lot of planning. So I'm in planning mode these days. I want to take my family to tour many places there. But with the tight schedule and to work around my daughter's nap time, it'll be interesting. I might be very tired when I get back.

Proud Daddy

I'm a proud dad of 2 lovely kids.

Ryan is going to be 6 in August and is now attending kindergarten.

Philia just turned 3. She's looking forward to starting the pre-school this fall.

Your People Your Asset?

Our people are our greatest asset. Wrong!!!
The people are not our greatest asset but the "right" people are.

Having the wrong people can do more damage to your company but the right people can make your life much more easier. They can even run the company for you.

I miss you, Denis.

Denis Clelland believed in people. From the day I got introduced to him, he had taken the risk to believe in me. We quickly became friends. When I left ClearStream to pursue my business dream, he was very understanding and supportive and found someone to fill in my position so that I could move on. He also gave me many advice on running business. He wants people to success.

Denis, I remember the time you pad on my back. It was so warm and welcoming. We just had a good chat last week and suddenly you were gone. You were so truthful to us and you carried us. I respect and admire you, and now I miss you.