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Today I sat at my desk, door open, and read a magazine

It was awesome. I try to do a little professional reading every day but usually I sneak it in because it always feels as if I’m not really “working” when I’m reading. But it is important to keep on top of trends, to hear about what others are doing, to make connections, etc. So today I decided it was time to come out of the closet. Whoever walked by invariably stopped in to chat, which they don’t do if I’m at the computer. Quite nice. Sitting there, reading, as the emails poured in….unopened, unread, unanswered. Ah, good times.

Reading List from the Apple Summit

Here are books mentioned or authored by the presenters with Amazon links:

I’ve started the Kelley book–it’s a quick fun read, highlighting ingenuity.

On My Way To Apple, and For This Conference I Swear I Won’t Stay Up All Night Watching Netflix On Demand (or Hulu)

Tomorrow I hit the Apple Summit. Should be fun and informative IF the following occurs:

  • I get enough sleep
  • I manage to control the unfortunate lisp my new braces have caused (I don’t want to talk about it)
  • I don’t feel obliged to spend all my “downtime” with email
  • I manage to loosen the shackles of the Immediate to reflect on the Important

Somewhere, a creepy little girl is saying “You’re all going to die”

that was the comforting conclusion I provided at our directors’ meeting today…. What to do when you feel overwhelmed by the immediate at the expense of the important? What to do when you feel there’s not enough strategery or as if people are creating fires just to be able to react and avoid el photo grande? At times like this, I suggested, recall what benefits, what satisfaction you personally derive from your job. Sometimes, in the balance between personal/professional and organizational development you should lean more towards what makes you happy. Then, at least, you’re happy. Even if … Continue Reading

More job interview don’ts

There’s are some good don’ts in the comments to the last post about this. Late yesterday afternoon, during a job interview with a potential software developer, I realized another one:

for the interviewee:

Don’t say things like, “Wow, there sure are a lot of females here! The last place I worked, there was only one other female developer. But she was pretty good. And when I was in the Army, my CO was a female, and I didn’t mind working under her.”

for the interviewer, if female:

Don’t, in reply, make a very crude remark NO MATTER HOW TEMPTING. If one … Continue Reading

Job Interview Don’ts

I’ve interviewed many people lately for a variety of jobs at different levels. After this experience, I thought I would share with you some “don’t”s I’ve witnessed. You might think these are obvious, but I’m not so sure:

If you’re the interviewee:

  1. Don’t wear a vendor swag shirt (even if it does have a collar) to a job interview. Actually, don’t wear anything with a logo.
  2. Don’t answer your cell phone during an interview. Yeah, that’s right.
  3. Don’t provide your current salary and ask if we can beat it before we’ve interviewed you. Different jobs in different locations are should probably pay different amounts.
  4. Don’t … Continue Reading

Let the drinking commence…

I’ve arrived at a “summit” for CIOs/CTOs in a mountain resort. Because I’m new to my job and new to the area, in about an hour I’ll go to the reception to meet a bunch of people for the first time. I will be nervous and there will be free alcohol. The possibilities are endless….

Themes for the summit (other than schmoozing) are e-Discovery and privacy. Nothing particularly new–or so it seems.

Meanwhile, I’m all set for the golf match tomorrow. I’ve taken a month’s worth of lesson and am now known at the driving range. Most important, … Continue Reading