Social Networking sites give a large base to build good network of friends. There are numerous students and professionals using Social Networks for many purposes including create new friends group, sharing personal interests and even professional benefits. Let’s discuss 5 simple ways to use Social Networks to find new jobs, or switch to new opportunities.
1. Update your Profile fully: Many are having their profiles with very basic information. This will not give any visibility about your knowledge and strengths to anyone. Fill your profile with required details – as much as possible to make it attractive. Make sure the information you give are only facts.
2. Connect with Friends: Try to connect with all your known friends and friends of those friends. Get introduced to new friends and build a healthy network. Don’t limit your friends group inside your office or personal friends – you can even add friends who are not in your professional line – but they can definitely give you an idea about new opportunities.
3. Participate in Groups: There are many communities with specific interest groups. Do join in them and participate actively. Share your knowledge and thoughts. Ask questions and answer to other’s questions. Participate and comment in Polls.
4. Blog your knowledge: Create a small blog to share your knowledge points. Every social networking site is having a small blog section. Use it. Also read other’s blog posts and comment your points. Make yourself visible with your knowledge. Update your status information regularly and use it to promote your professional activities.
5. Connect with other Social Tools: Add your micro blogs, Photo blogs with professional network and promote your personal + professional activities. Share the technical or management news, information though micro blogs and follow other micro bloggers.
Using the above given simple ways, you can get more friends and your visibility in social groups gets you focus. Your friends can refer you in their organizations – by seeing your thoughts and knowledge sharing content. Many HR networks are finding professional with right attitude through social networks only. Use these simple ways and get opportunities.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
5 Key Elements of Project Planning
Planning is the compulsory activity for projects of any size – it can be for few weeks, or for years. Project planning gives a complete visibility about tasks to be completed, schedules / milestones to be followed, and resources / skill sets required to complete the project in successful way. It helps a lot in committing deliverables with clients. Basically it improves the accountability, quality of deliverables and trust on overall management.
Let’s discuss about 5 Key elements required for any project planning – it can be a software project, or a social activity, construction or even any engineering work.
Work Breakdown: Basically a detail list of tasks to be completed. Start from the day one work and try to break big tasks into details as much as possible. Let the duration of activity be minimum 1 day – (8 Hours) - the maximum 5 days (40 Hours). If many activities are going to be completed in one day – group them and assign 0.5 / 0.25 type of durations. This helps you to understand what all we have to do in given time.
Resources: It can be people who for the project, or even the equipments required completing the job. For every task in your Work Breakdown List – assign a resource, and make sure the resource is not overloaded anywhere – you can do this by seeing, how many hours the resource is loaded with tasks per day. Add resource cost to see the cost of overall execution. You can even group resources to identify group level resource usages in future.
Connect Tasks: Predecessors help to connect each task with its pre-requisite task. For example – Task 1 should be completed before we start Task 2. In this case, the Task 1 is the predecessor for Task 2. Task 2 becomes successor for Task 1. You can have multiple predecessors, if a single task requires more than one task to be completed before its starting date. There are different type of predecessors – Finish to Start, Start to Start, Start to Finish and Finish to Finish – lets discuss about this more in future articles.
Calendar: Update your calendar in Plans with holidays and resource available status information. This will have an impact with schedules. Using a calendar with expected holidays, and leave status, resource availability statuses is always a good practice in project management.
Baseline: This is an important process with project plans – Baseline you plan for any future tracking and status updates. Baseline helps you to generate management reports with tasks, schedules and resources. If your scope is increased after few weeks of project start date – update the new activities, assign resources and re-baseline the project plan – but remember to re-baseline only new and updated tasks.
The Project plan should be tracked for status updates every day. Add milestone tasks under each important deliverables and flag them once it is completed. You can generate all management level reports with project management tools – there are many tools available in online & offline.
Let’s discuss about 5 Key elements required for any project planning – it can be a software project, or a social activity, construction or even any engineering work.
Work Breakdown: Basically a detail list of tasks to be completed. Start from the day one work and try to break big tasks into details as much as possible. Let the duration of activity be minimum 1 day – (8 Hours) - the maximum 5 days (40 Hours). If many activities are going to be completed in one day – group them and assign 0.5 / 0.25 type of durations. This helps you to understand what all we have to do in given time.
Resources: It can be people who for the project, or even the equipments required completing the job. For every task in your Work Breakdown List – assign a resource, and make sure the resource is not overloaded anywhere – you can do this by seeing, how many hours the resource is loaded with tasks per day. Add resource cost to see the cost of overall execution. You can even group resources to identify group level resource usages in future.
Connect Tasks: Predecessors help to connect each task with its pre-requisite task. For example – Task 1 should be completed before we start Task 2. In this case, the Task 1 is the predecessor for Task 2. Task 2 becomes successor for Task 1. You can have multiple predecessors, if a single task requires more than one task to be completed before its starting date. There are different type of predecessors – Finish to Start, Start to Start, Start to Finish and Finish to Finish – lets discuss about this more in future articles.
Calendar: Update your calendar in Plans with holidays and resource available status information. This will have an impact with schedules. Using a calendar with expected holidays, and leave status, resource availability statuses is always a good practice in project management.
Baseline: This is an important process with project plans – Baseline you plan for any future tracking and status updates. Baseline helps you to generate management reports with tasks, schedules and resources. If your scope is increased after few weeks of project start date – update the new activities, assign resources and re-baseline the project plan – but remember to re-baseline only new and updated tasks.
The Project plan should be tracked for status updates every day. Add milestone tasks under each important deliverables and flag them once it is completed. You can generate all management level reports with project management tools – there are many tools available in online & offline.
Monday, February 1, 2010
New wave - Mobile Internet Development
Internet is growing rapidly, and mobile internet adds jet to it. Few months before, many mobile companies started to introduce smart phones and internet ready mobile devices. The browser manufactures also started to release their mobile version of popular browsers – one best example is Opera mini browser. Opera mini is one the best browser I have used for mobile internet browsing. I am using a Nokia S40 Device, but I heard that Opera mini is showing a lot of magic in Nokia S60 and other advance models, including smart phones.
As many of us know, the websites for mobile should be little different than usual websites. If you take a look for available mobile websites – they will have less graphics, easy navigations, and smart way of information display. This helps to load the pages quick, and saves the internet browning cost.
There are many developers working on developing websites and web designs. The emerging mobile internet world will give them more opportunities to build mobile websites, mobile web apps and related content managers etc.
While developing mobile websites – just keep these points in mind.
1. Always choose Single Column Layout for Mobi Site Web Design. Two or more Columns make the site slow and also incorrect content display with many devices.
2. Decide your menu Items while planning for mobile site– and show them as breadcrumbs. It helps for better navigation in many devices. Limit the website for less than 10 pages.
3. Use XHTML for coloring the
As many of us know, the websites for mobile should be little different than usual websites. If you take a look for available mobile websites – they will have less graphics, easy navigations, and smart way of information display. This helps to load the pages quick, and saves the internet browning cost.
There are many developers working on developing websites and web designs. The emerging mobile internet world will give them more opportunities to build mobile websites, mobile web apps and related content managers etc.
While developing mobile websites – just keep these points in mind.
1. Always choose Single Column Layout for Mobi Site Web Design. Two or more Columns make the site slow and also incorrect content display with many devices.
2. Decide your menu Items while planning for mobile site– and show them as breadcrumbs. It helps for better navigation in many devices. Limit the website for less than 10 pages.
3. Use XHTML for coloring the
tags – avoid images as much as possible. If you want to show photo gallery or similar stuff – give them options to use Flickr viewers, Picasa Viewers through Snaptu or related tools.
4. While using Images, compress them to low file size – keep them with always.
5. Try using simple Server side plug-ins for RSS integration or Twitter calls. It saves the loading time. For Videos, and other downloadable content – give them options to download in PC / and save it to device later.
The future devices will have more facilities to browse internet sites – I expect the mobile browser providers will also come up with new additions. The internet browsing cost is also becoming less now days, it will improve the usages. I suggest – the small and medium size teams, should learn more on working with mobile internet apps / sites – I am sure it’s a next level business.
4. While using Images, compress them to low file size – keep them with
5. Try using simple Server side plug-ins for RSS integration or Twitter calls. It saves the loading time. For Videos, and other downloadable content – give them options to download in PC / and save it to device later.
The future devices will have more facilities to browse internet sites – I expect the mobile browser providers will also come up with new additions. The internet browsing cost is also becoming less now days, it will improve the usages. I suggest – the small and medium size teams, should learn more on working with mobile internet apps / sites – I am sure it’s a next level business.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
5 Basic requirements for a Good Mobile Application
There are many mobile applications available now days, most of them are free. Some vendors give sharewares and adware apps – but the functionality makes them good to try at-least once. Mobile applications are also becoming one of the important download – with themes, ringtones and wall papers. Here, let’s discuss about 5 basic requirements for any good mobile application.
1. Platform: All mobile phones are not using same operational platform. Choose the platform, which is used by many mobile phones – consider the level of target users too. J2ME / Java based applications are one example – It works on many Nokia, LG and Samsung devices – and these devices are dominating the Indian mobile device market for long time. Developing a J2ME based app, increases the download opportunities by the users of these devices.
2. Purpose of App: Have a clean scope about the purpose of the application. It can be a simple game, Business productivity app or Device level Utility – better have a clean scope about what it is all about. Find the category of App and try to see – what can make the user give priority to your application.
3. HELP: Many Mobile apps are not having a good help section – this makes user avoid such apps. A help can be a simple section with application intro, keys information, and version information. A link to your detail help web-site is also a good idea.
4. Simple Keys: The less keys – the more advantage. Try to create functions for most common keys – and I suggest matching with the default device keys. You can have different builds for different devices. The user should feel comfort in handling your app – it makes him use it frequently.
5. Web-Site: Have a small website with Basic and advance download information, supporting devices lists, contact information, Issue posting- tracking-responses section, Build version information etc. It gives the user a confident about using this app with trust on your effort.
The above listed are only the basic requirements, there are a lot more to do. Try developing your apps, promoting them, and sharing your experiences. It helps to many community developers around us.
1. Platform: All mobile phones are not using same operational platform. Choose the platform, which is used by many mobile phones – consider the level of target users too. J2ME / Java based applications are one example – It works on many Nokia, LG and Samsung devices – and these devices are dominating the Indian mobile device market for long time. Developing a J2ME based app, increases the download opportunities by the users of these devices.
2. Purpose of App: Have a clean scope about the purpose of the application. It can be a simple game, Business productivity app or Device level Utility – better have a clean scope about what it is all about. Find the category of App and try to see – what can make the user give priority to your application.
3. HELP: Many Mobile apps are not having a good help section – this makes user avoid such apps. A help can be a simple section with application intro, keys information, and version information. A link to your detail help web-site is also a good idea.
4. Simple Keys: The less keys – the more advantage. Try to create functions for most common keys – and I suggest matching with the default device keys. You can have different builds for different devices. The user should feel comfort in handling your app – it makes him use it frequently.
5. Web-Site: Have a small website with Basic and advance download information, supporting devices lists, contact information, Issue posting- tracking-responses section, Build version information etc. It gives the user a confident about using this app with trust on your effort.
The above listed are only the basic requirements, there are a lot more to do. Try developing your apps, promoting them, and sharing your experiences. It helps to many community developers around us.
Monday, January 11, 2010
5 Must read Business and Management Books
Business and Management books contain important lessons for managing the quality in our business, build strategies, problem solving and leadership – no matter what business we do. Many project managers and high profile executive officers gather information from best-selling business management books. You can find solutions for your business challenges often from other industries. These books are typically written by people who have tons of experience, in some form or another, managing and growing companies.
I would like to suggest these 5 ‘MUST READ” Business and Management Books for all my friends – I am sure this will give some good values in their professional development
Blink
The Power Of Thinking Without Thinking
by Malcolm Gladwell
ISBN: 9780316172325
On Becoming A Leader:
The Leadership Classic - 4th Edition
by Warren Bennis
ISBN: 9780465014088
The Search
How Google and Its Rivals Rewrote the Rules of Business and Transformed Our Culture
by John Battelle
ISBN: 9781591840886
In Search of Excellence
Lessons from America's Best-Run Companies
by Thomas J. Peters, Robert H. Waterman
ISBN: 9780060548780
Management
Revised Edition
by Peter F. Drucker, with Joseph A. Maciariello
ISBN: 9780061252662
I would like to suggest these 5 ‘MUST READ” Business and Management Books for all my friends – I am sure this will give some good values in their professional development
Blink
The Power Of Thinking Without Thinking
by Malcolm Gladwell
ISBN: 9780316172325
On Becoming A Leader:
The Leadership Classic - 4th Edition
by Warren Bennis
ISBN: 9780465014088
The Search
How Google and Its Rivals Rewrote the Rules of Business and Transformed Our Culture
by John Battelle
ISBN: 9781591840886
In Search of Excellence
Lessons from America's Best-Run Companies
by Thomas J. Peters, Robert H. Waterman
ISBN: 9780060548780
Management
Revised Edition
by Peter F. Drucker, with Joseph A. Maciariello
ISBN: 9780061252662
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
5 Communication guidelines for Support Projects
Communication management is a central part of Project management. It connects all other management activities and drives the project for success. I would like to share few processes here for managing communications for T&M type accounts, and support projects.
Build and Share your communication plans: your communication plan should have support availability times – in your Offshore and Onsite. Clearly state whom to communicate for what type of requirements. Give emails, and mobile numbers of important support contacts. Define an escalation matrix. Share your plan with all your stakeholders.
Respond to Emails: This should happen as early as possible. If you have a blackberry – and you can access it in all your “available times” – use it. Send a response for appreciations, Issues, Suggestions, change requests – everything. If you access your office works, only from office PC – Let this work be the first thing in the morning. Clients always expect a response for his Issues – mainly in T&M accounts. At least respond them with a message “we understood – we are working on it” – or “need clarification” if you are not sure about what they are asking for.
Issue Log and Reports: Maintain an Issue Log document (A simple excel sheet will be fine) – and record all the issues and status updates. Update them into your project plan daily/weekly basis. Add Issue Log status information in your weekly status reports – this helps the clients to understand the progress and avoids unnecessary escalations.
Clarifications – Set call: Whenever you need a clarification for the issues or change requests, set a “request for conf call” or direct meeting as early as possible. Emails are fine for asking clarifications, but talking will provide more inputs and sometimes, the clients Issue/Change request will become simple than what you expected. Circulate the minutes of meeting after each discussion, to avoid misunderstandings. Action items should be mentioned in your minutes of meeting document and the status of them should be updated in weekly status reports.
Expert teams: Build an expert team, not only for technical support but also for domain related queries and to provide suggestions for improving the requirement. A detail functional flow model will be helpful to understand change requests or Issues raised by the clients. Introduce your expert team members to clients – this helps the client to get a confident about your background and quality of delivery.
T&M (Time and Material) is the business model for mostly support projects and maintenance projects. A good communication management will improve the quality of service with less escalation.
Build and Share your communication plans: your communication plan should have support availability times – in your Offshore and Onsite. Clearly state whom to communicate for what type of requirements. Give emails, and mobile numbers of important support contacts. Define an escalation matrix. Share your plan with all your stakeholders.
Respond to Emails: This should happen as early as possible. If you have a blackberry – and you can access it in all your “available times” – use it. Send a response for appreciations, Issues, Suggestions, change requests – everything. If you access your office works, only from office PC – Let this work be the first thing in the morning. Clients always expect a response for his Issues – mainly in T&M accounts. At least respond them with a message “we understood – we are working on it” – or “need clarification” if you are not sure about what they are asking for.
Issue Log and Reports: Maintain an Issue Log document (A simple excel sheet will be fine) – and record all the issues and status updates. Update them into your project plan daily/weekly basis. Add Issue Log status information in your weekly status reports – this helps the clients to understand the progress and avoids unnecessary escalations.
Clarifications – Set call: Whenever you need a clarification for the issues or change requests, set a “request for conf call” or direct meeting as early as possible. Emails are fine for asking clarifications, but talking will provide more inputs and sometimes, the clients Issue/Change request will become simple than what you expected. Circulate the minutes of meeting after each discussion, to avoid misunderstandings. Action items should be mentioned in your minutes of meeting document and the status of them should be updated in weekly status reports.
Expert teams: Build an expert team, not only for technical support but also for domain related queries and to provide suggestions for improving the requirement. A detail functional flow model will be helpful to understand change requests or Issues raised by the clients. Introduce your expert team members to clients – this helps the client to get a confident about your background and quality of delivery.
T&M (Time and Material) is the business model for mostly support projects and maintenance projects. A good communication management will improve the quality of service with less escalation.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Wake-up Developers…”bada” Opportunity!
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today announced the launch of its own open mobile platform, Samsung bada [bada] in December. This new addition to Samsung’s mobile ecosystem enables developers to create applications for millions of new Samsung mobile phones, and consumers to enjoy a fun and diverse mobile experience.
In order to build a rich Smartphone experience accessible to a wider range of consumers across the world, Samsung brings bada, a new platform with a variety of mobile applications and content.
The name ‘bada’, which means ‘ocean’ in Korean, was chosen to convey the limitless variety of potential applications which can be created using the new platform. It also alludes to Samsung’s commitment to a variety of open platforms in the mobile industry. Samsung bada also represents the fresh challenges and opportunities available to developers, as well as the entertainment which consumers will enjoy once the new platform is open.
Based on Samsung’s experience in developing previous proprietary platforms on Samsung mobile phones, Samsung can create the new platform and provide opportunities for developers. Samsung bada is also simple for developers to use, meaning it’s one of the most developer-friendly environments available, particularly in the area of applications using Web services. Lastly, bada’s ground-breaking User Interface (UI) can be transferred into a sophisticated and attractive UI design for developers.
Samsung will be able to expand the range of choices for mobile phone users to enjoy the Smartphone experiences. By adopting Samsung bada, users will be able to easily enjoy various applications on their mobile.
Samsung bada also offers an easy-to-integrate platform for mobile operators so that mobile operators can provide unique and differentiated services to their customers.
The detail story here: http://www.bada.com/samsung-launches-open-mobile-platform/
In order to build a rich Smartphone experience accessible to a wider range of consumers across the world, Samsung brings bada, a new platform with a variety of mobile applications and content.
The name ‘bada’, which means ‘ocean’ in Korean, was chosen to convey the limitless variety of potential applications which can be created using the new platform. It also alludes to Samsung’s commitment to a variety of open platforms in the mobile industry. Samsung bada also represents the fresh challenges and opportunities available to developers, as well as the entertainment which consumers will enjoy once the new platform is open.
Based on Samsung’s experience in developing previous proprietary platforms on Samsung mobile phones, Samsung can create the new platform and provide opportunities for developers. Samsung bada is also simple for developers to use, meaning it’s one of the most developer-friendly environments available, particularly in the area of applications using Web services. Lastly, bada’s ground-breaking User Interface (UI) can be transferred into a sophisticated and attractive UI design for developers.
Samsung will be able to expand the range of choices for mobile phone users to enjoy the Smartphone experiences. By adopting Samsung bada, users will be able to easily enjoy various applications on their mobile.
Samsung bada also offers an easy-to-integrate platform for mobile operators so that mobile operators can provide unique and differentiated services to their customers.
The detail story here: http://www.bada.com/samsung-launches-open-mobile-platform/
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