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Spam Spam Spam

Colin Henderson

I just wanted to note that comment spam has gone into over-drive in the last month, then increased from there in the last 2 or 3 days. In a normal day this blog gets 10 – 50, or 1,000 per month. But today there was 238 in one day. WordPress spam filters catch 99%, so I only mention in case I accidentally missed a legitimate comment caught in the spam filter. I try to check though the filtered spam, but a person can only take so much of the filth that’s in there, and I may miss something that’s legitimate. … Continue reading Spam Spam Spam

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Writing without the intention of being unclear (@$#!)

Colin Henderson

My new favourite read is simply entitled “Style Guide”. As a blogger, one of the things that drives me crazy is reading my own posts from a few days or weeks earlier. How could I have been more clear and understandable in what I wanted to say. The following paragraph is indicative of what I am reading. Do not be too hectoring or arrogant Those who disagree with you are not necessarily stupid or insane. Nobody needs to be described as silly: let your analysis show that he is. When you express opinions, do not simply make assertions. The aim … Continue reading Writing without the intention of being unclear (@$#!)

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BarcampToronto | disruption

Colin Henderson

Attending BarCampToronto at UofT. First session was on disruption. Speaker (Norm Young) and engineer withWestern Avionics, and with a technology and academic background, spoke of books by Christensen and Raynor. The example he used was Linux, but I wanted to relate it to P2P Lending. Using Linux he noted that before it reached the steady state line, its performance was inadequate, and during that disruptive period, he had to work hard to make it work. Now Linux is offerred by Dell, and while its early to call mainstream its getting close. P2P lending is as Linux was. It requires hard … Continue reading BarcampToronto | disruption

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Connecting the dots ….. security advisories, Dell, and Linux

Colin Henderson

Its funny how sometimes the dots just get connected. As i was smiling to myself on seeing this latest note in my feeds about Microsofts latest security advisory, I saw this right after at Engadget.

There’s still no press release but those three Dell’s running Ubuntu are just minutes away from donning their direct-sales wings according to Dell’s official Direct2Dell site.

Source: Engadget

My posting has been spotty over the last two weeks, as I accustomed myelf to a non windows world for the first time, since Win 3.1 appeared. It has been very smooth, and if you are buying a Dell, my advice is to not hesitiate. Reasons – no hard drive churning, no virus worries, laptop (Thinkpad X60s) feels like it just got a turbocharger & no crashes.

For those who appreciate such things, take a look ….
Continue reading Connecting the dots ….. security advisories, Dell, and Linux

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BMO: Trading losses swell

Colin Henderson

The trials and tribulations continue as the loss associated with the natural gas trading creeps towards and unfathomable $1 Bn. Workers inspect tiles a day after winds ripped a slab of marble off First Canadian Place on May 15, 2007. “BMO is continuing its investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding these mark-to-market trading losses including a review to determine whether any potential irregularities in trading and valuation took place,” the bank said in a statement today. The bank said two commodities professionals who were placed on leave after April 27, are “no longer employed by the company.” Source: The … Continue reading BMO: Trading losses swell

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Role of the CMO follows the track of the early CIO

Colin Henderson

Ron has an interesting post here on the evolution of the CMO. He suggests that the role is following the track of the early CIO’s, due to poor definition of the role. I agree. I clicked through to the CMO Council abstract of a report entitled ‘Define and Align the CMO”. This quote is resounding in its implications, and one that Banks would do well to consider as they try to sort out the ‘new marketing’ (emphasis mine) What our research bears out and amplifies, is this: candidates for the position of Chief Marketing Officer must not be evaluated primarily … Continue reading Role of the CMO follows the track of the early CIO

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WoW Visa Card introduced

Colin Henderson

There are many affinity cards but this one is slightly different, being tied the virtual reality gaming world of ‘World of Warcraft’.  With 8.5 million users, who display immense loyalty, this cards introduction will be interesting to follow. The World of Warcraft MMORPG players will get $0.01 credit toward their $14.99 monthly subscription fee after spending every dollar. The rewards are given through points system. There are additional benefits like Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty, Travel Assistance Services, Travel Accident Insurance and up to a 25% discount at select car rental agencies. Source:  Techshout Hat tip Pierre-Philippe   Technorati tags: Affinity+cards, virtual+Reality+Banks Continue reading WoW Visa Card introduced

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ShiftHappens | did you know?

Colin Henderson

 We have all heard the statement that a weeks worth of the New York Times contains more information than an entire lifetime in the 18th Century.  This presentation is full of those kinds of stats that drive home not just the amount of information, and change, but the rapid increase in the pace of change that we are experiencing.   The best quote for me, is that today’s education systems are preparing students for jobs that do no exist. Enjoy. Presentation on Slideshare. Relevance to Bankwatch: It brings home the importance of fining ways to manage information, and ways to learn … Continue reading ShiftHappens | did you know?

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Enterprise 2.0 apps appear to have their very own "change agent" by their fundamental nature

Colin Henderson

 Dion as usual does a great and highly detailed analysis of Enterprise 2.0 apps and their applicability to large enterprises, such as Banks. As I was reading, I reelected on my own experiences since leaving a big bank, and working with a small, switched on group, where tools are not mandated, and the best simply rise to the top.  If it doesn’t have RSS then blank stares would ensue.  But more importantly, the tools are used to the extent they work.  Everyone in the group uses them slightly differently, and there are no rules, but there are common threads, and … Continue reading Enterprise 2.0 apps appear to have their very own "change agent" by their fundamental nature

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If you want to kill a bureaucracy you must kill the diary and schedule first (or whoever comes are the right people)

Colin Henderson

 JP nails it here.  If you want to kill a bureaucracy you must kill the diary and schedule first. Source: On fixed and variable costs and infinite loops | confused of calcutta Having left the big organisation/ beaurocracy recently, one of the things I notice is that I can accomplish much more work, in much less time.  These principles from JP’s post resonate with me. How many times in the Bank did I see a situation that should be resolved or planned now, be delayed for 2, 3 or more weeks to accommodate schedules.  The whole thing snowballs and despite what … Continue reading If you want to kill a bureaucracy you must kill the diary and schedule first (or whoever comes are the right people)