See the framework

Attended yesterday my first webinar on scrum. I knew the concept for a while, without entering too much into bibliographical details. I am not yet very much interesting in getting into depth, but still consider it is useful to have it in my mind when thinking about a better use of human resources and organisation of knowledge.

What scum is bringing new is to create a certain framework based on small and smart clusters. The advantages of small teams are obvious - as the reliable human relations are usually limited by number, increased teams are complicating the context and lead to unmanageable situations.

Using the scum masters various external situations as for example protecting the team from external influences or resolve impediments. A kind of coacher able to see the whole picture and to recommend the necessary evolutions or corrections.

As the role of communications is obvious, I would like to improve my knowledge on this.

Writing in Second Life

For me, Second Life represented at the beginning of a very good market for teenagers, people passionate - with a penchant to addiction - about games, usually not too serious for spending too much time there. After, I found out the diplomatic use of this space, after many countries opened embassies here using this virtual space for various "soft diplomacy" purposes.

As the system in itself evolved and the 2.0 took a stronger role into our everyday life, the system continued to win other targets, as the business community and other professional uses. I was impressed once to attend a discussion about using it as a fora for medical professionals where people access various medical information. Of course, it is a huge place for abuses and nonreliability, as every time when you have the option of hiding your identity. But, as long as you have a significant professional presence, the risks of abusing this system might decrease.

The last interesting ideas about Second Life was about writing. A creative and increasing community of writers covering various events, making professional connections, creating places for discussions and even marketing their books and blogging. Of course, why not? And this is nothing more than another opportunity to get visibility and most important from my point of view, to get in touch with other professionals.

I have to take Second Life more seriously and to reactivate my avatar.

How to find a good job

Around 400 pages dedicated to preparing for addressing a job offer, preparing your credentials, going to the interview, being ready for the various tests. Plus a CD with various useful applications.

I was impressed by the quality of the detail. I discovered lots of things I never been able to order in a systematic way, as for example being ready to answer various types of questions regarding your professional perspectives and your working record.

Finding a job these days, the job to make you happy from the financial and professional point of view, while keeping a certain balance with your family life is more difficult than ever. The market is full, the level of professional standards is getting higher and higher. For example, you have now by far more qualified candidates, from the point of view of the education background, than two decades ago, as having an MA, MBA or even a PhD is a more widespreaded feature. In these cases, you genesis of the choices is made up to very careful examination of professional background, sources from the market, successful tasks.

Applying for a job is part of a very careful plan of analysis and evaluation of your own offer, your communication capacity, your medium and long-term objectives. The choices are followed by considerations regarding the dress-code, the choice of the language, the elaboration of the CV - according to various standards -, a psychological self-analysis.

The list of questions you might be prepared to answer is long and you will never be able to predict 80% of them. What it is important to have in your mind as long as possible is to know your objectives and to answer and behave accordingly. It is true that the current economic crisis is narrowing the options and limiting the freedom to say "no". But, on the other side, it is important to be ready to say "no". Everything is a matter of self-awareness and even there are books with this subject too, the most important thing are your attitude and your inner resources.

Twitter for businesses

A couple of new features, designed to deserve the business interests are to be released by the end of this year. Some of them, as the "verified accounts" options is already accessible. What I am wondering is why this business orientation was so much delayed, as for a very long time Twitter is an important tool used for business and having an account here is a must for various companies, bigger or smaller.

How to use

Google Places for business purposes.

Power of numbers

Very often you may see articles or books mentioning in the title various "numbers": 10 ways to be famous, five steps to perfection, three lessons for improving your writing skills etc. The respective concepts or lessons are developed in the content of the article or the book.

It is a very efficient way to remain memorable: it is easier to organise your mind and your projects on the basis of a couple, cuantificable ideas. It introduces order and rationality and, as well, help you easily to remember about what you are adviced to do.

So, keep in mind to structure your writing, classes or idea around numbers. It might be boring and anti-creativity, but it is helpful and efficient.

21st. century journalism

Are social media and technology changing the face of journalism as we all know?

From the point of view of the possibility to deliver in record-time and to connect from any point of the Globe to a special audience, the answer is "yes".

From the point of view of the possibility to deliver more than simple words, but also various connections and links, enriching the information, the answer is, again, "yes".

But, from the point of view of the curiosity of the mind and of the technical assessment of the journalistic work in itself, the answer is "no".