Resumes were updated months ago. Profiles on LinkedIn and other employment-type sites were updated as well.  Phone calls to headhunters have also been made. With no immediate options, what should be done next?

Seth Godin had a great post today titled: The growing productivity divide. He provides a quiz to see if you really can call yourself a knowledge-worker in today's high-tech society.

What should you do next? Take the quiz and correct anything you got wrong.

I witnessed a business person state: "You heard what we want. We don't need documentation. We need you to just start coding it."

Would you want to live in a house that didn't have clarification of understanding what you want? Do you want to live in a house that a builder builds just based on you verbally explaining what you want? With all the money spent, don't you want checkpoints to make sure things are going as expected?

Everyone has filters. Everyone hears and stores information differently. Putting a few "documents" in place lets the two sides see if they are blinded by the "curse of knowledge" (a term described in the Made To Stick book by Chip & Dan Heath). Are you not saying something because you asssume it is generally understood? Did the techie stop listening or did he misunderstand something because of his previous knowledge.

Don't take the chance. Insist that things be documented and review the documentation. Filters get clogged and the wrong information doesn't always make it through. Architectural documentation is a stepping stone to ensure that what you say, is what you will get. It also gives you an opportunity to tweak.

The techies are right on this point. Let them document before coding. Read and approve it before anything is built. Otherwise, you'll be living in a house of straw and a hurricane is on its way.

The irritation, in both scenarios, grew to be loud, vocal complaints to engineers. One passenger reminded everyone that all the transit systems guarentee is that they get you from one place to another. No commitment to be on time, safety, or that the ride be filed with customer satisfaction.

My recent plane trips follow the same pattern. Delays with the same commitment that you will arrive at the destination (even if they change your flight or that your luggage arrives via a different delayed route). Hey, they get you from one place to the next. No commitment to be on time or that the ride be filed with customer satisfaction.

As a passenger in this or any of the travel mechanisms you are irritated, frustrated, and can complain loudly without any satisfaction. After a point, if possible, you change your transportation plans to use other means.

Now for the software you develop for the business community...

• is it on time?
• doing what it is supposed to do?
• what was the experience for the business community during the development?

If no...your business community is irritated, frustrated and is probably complaining loudly. If they have stopped complaining, that is a very bad place to be. Your business community is looking for other options to work around you! Start listening to your customers and react by building customer loyalty.

In the Industrial Age, workers came to expect higher pay for seniority, loyalty and longevity--regardless of productivity. And older workers were valued. In the Information Age, if older workers' speed and skills don't keep up with the accelerating pace of our times, seniority, loyalty and longevity may become liabilities. Steady performance may be a liability if increased performance is required."

So, as a technician, where is your emotional state? Is it in the Industrial Age where seniority has its privileges over producing? Is it in the Information Age where providing value to the business users is king?

The later will help you keep your job no matter what age. The more value you provide business, the higher your profit. The Industrial Age has been coming to an end. The crash on Wall Street was the final transition.

It's 10pm...have you thought of how you will provide your business users value tomorrow? Is it what the business perceives as valuable?

If you are a small company that needs to send things electronically to another business, they may ask you to "upload" a file. The file could be an excel (.xls) file or some other format. In most cases, the reason why the other company wants you to "upload" versus send the file through email is the size. When a technician says that they must "upload" the file somewhere, they are placing it on the other businesses computer site.

Download is the same thing but in the reverse direction. This time you (or your technician) must grab the file from the other businesses computer site and place it somewhere on yours.

It is a quick and easy process for two companies to pass information to and from each other. It does require directions, passwords, and communication between the two companies.

If you want to save time and do it yourself, ask a technical person either from your company or the other to walk you through it for the first time.

I have 2 different business cards for SBDi. One is a serious one for those that do not know me or have never seen me present. The other one is for fun. I will use them for training, speaking events, and to hand out to business personnel after helping them work with IT.

I just got them today. They are FANTASTIC. The company SuperHeroCards.com was so easy to work with and provided excellent customer service. Yes, they WOW'd me to the point where I will recommend them to those that strive to be the best technically, process knowledge, and with engaging the business community. If you are the best at all three...you really are a super hero to the business community!

The client was begging me to translate the email received from a developer. The techie sent my client the actual code to ask if the correct data was being captured. Understand that this client had zero technical skills. Understand that the code listed the actual internal element names.

My suggestion was to return the email cc'ing 2 levels up in management on both the business and technical side of the house. Being polite (even though this developer had done this several times) the reply had a basic request.

"Please translate this into business terminology."

The developer was moved off the mission critical business project.

If you could read code...you would be coding it yourself without the help of techies! Do not enable the techies to treat you with disrespect. Demand that they translate what they are trying to do in business terms ALWAYS.

I don’t send a colleague “thank you” emails (copy their management) on things I believe are part of his/her job.(copy their management) on things I believe are part of his/her job.

• Answer 1 = Always
• Answer 2 = Frequently
• Answer 3 = Sometimes
• Answer 4 = Rarely
• Answer 5 = Never

If you answer less than "5" it's time to rethink how you deal with others. A simple "thank you" is rare. When it happens, it is remembered...with a smile! People will go out of their way to those that show sincere appreciation.

It's easy. It's simple. It's a way to differenciate yourself from the rest of the commodity-type IT professional. Gosh...send it as a txt msg! Better yet, mention the good work on your blog! How isn't as important as the fact that you do it!

Oh, the techies tout that they are using the latest methods, methodology, and process. Statistics show, however, that the quality of software is going down versus improving.

What should you do?

Put everything in writing. Make sure every wish or need is documented in detail. What information you need, what business process to follow, and mock up windows.

If you override something in the system because it doesn't carry what you need to perform your job, tell them...in writing.

If you are frustrated in your dealings with them...put that in writing too.

If you get no response after documenting it twice, start up the ladder in both your chain and the IT's chain. It takes time but you need to document that you have tried to communicate with the geeks.

After three levels up, you will get funding to bring in someone to interface with the geeks.

When I first started at IBM over 30 years ago, they had a "liason" that was the bridge between the two groups. This was a senior level position. He was a great negotiator and listener. The position had authority to direct the work of the technical group even though he was on the business side of the house. When he called the head of the tech group (now referred to as the CIO or head of business systems) everyone stopped what they were doing. Why? Because he had the ear of the CFO, CEO, and all other C-Levels that bring in the $$$ for the company.

For every A each of them earns at the end of the semester, they get $10.00. That's a possible total of $50.00 each for straight A's.

This holds true if everyone gets A's and B;'s as well, though they receive no money for the A's.

However, if any of them gets a single grade below a B (or B-), then no one gets any money.

Not really sure how we arrived at this - it went through a few variations and conversations, but it will be interesting to see what effects it has. On them, their work habits, their teachers and of course, me and my checking account.

:  )

 I’m calling many of my colleagues with an empathic ear. However, I’m cutting them short and telling them they have 3 choices:

•  Whine
•  Worry
•  Or Do!

Whining wastes time and doesn’t do anything for you. Worry will hurt your health (you don’t need that now). So, the best thing you can do is start Doing!  

You can’t control what is happening with the financial firms. The only thing you can do is control your own actions. Avoid the whiners and take control of your situation. You can’t get caught up with the crowd that is stuck in shock. You must be ahead of the curb and start moving towards a new you. Even if your job is safe (for now or longer), it is never too soon to start becoming more valuable.

Get on Amazon and buy Jeffrey Gitomer’s Little Black Book of Connections. It is time for you to learn how to network. It is also time for you to show the business community that you are a valuable resource…so buy a copy for them as well. Even those that are great at networking remain the student to sharpen their skills. The book is $20! Spending $40 to improve your life and start building a valuable bond with the business community...priceless.

Sounds about right . . .

Teacher Professional Development Sourcebook: Making a Difference.

“Best” is the business user’s perspective of your value to helping them achieve their goals. You’ll only know what those goals are if you talk with them, get to know them, earn their trust, and build a relationship with each individual business person each and every day. Over time, by delivering continual value, you will become the BEST. It takes hard work.

When hired by the IT side of the house, it's because IT doesn't have enough people to perform a specific task. The role could be as a project manager, architect, or analyst. The project has already been identified. Business, in this scenario is eager to talk to me to get their needs understood. IT is happy because they do not have to deal with the business side. IT is happy because I put in detail what they must do to meet the needs of business in their language. Everyone is happy.

More and more, I'm seeing requests from the business side to work on their behalf. When hired by the business, it's because the business community has lost faith in IT. Their frustration level is so high they are looking for a way to work around the IT organization. IT hates my guts in this scenario. The word they use to describe me rhymes with "RICH." Business is happy and pays me well (hence my reason for using rich in place of the "b" word).

I'm performing the same tasks in this scenario. I'm committed to adding value to the business community in both cases. What's the difference? Results and faith!

Why should IT hate me for this? Because IT can no longer hide behind the excuse machine. IT can no longer hide from the business community. IT can try to put up walls (PMO many times falls into that trap) but business will always win. Business may let it slide a few times. Business will reach a point of frustration and IT's fate has been decided.

Business controls the purse strings. If business hires a mercenary...wake up and smell the coffee. Your pink slip is being prepared!

Want to avoid the pink slip? Top consultants like me have no problem being mentors. You just have to earn the right to learn from them.

• - That means stop making excuses. Business sees through them anyway.
• - Become a student and learn how the consultant is doing the job you should have been doing all along.
• - Ask if you can do some of the work and allow the consultant to edit it (gee, free one-on-one training...what an opportunity).
• - Be committed to being a student again. Work as hard as you can.

What's in it for you. If you are good and show promise...the consultant may just tell the business side to give you another chance.

Which side of the house should the analyst be? Don't worry about that...the business community will decide that for you.

So much time is wasted in Quality Control because a Programmer didn’t desk-check his/her work. So much time is wasted in Programming because the Analyst didn’t ask all the questions to get all the requirements. So much time is wasted because a Project Manager didn’t give the Analyst the time or tools to do his/her job.

Projects work because all along the life-cycle, people took the extra step to do what they are responsible for doing. When projects don’t work, get a mirror and look at your self. If you did everything you were responsible for doing and did the best job at it, then smile. If you didn’t, you are looking at the person that didn’t make the commitment to do his/her best. Before you blame anyone else...take a close look and judge your level of commitment to doing a quality job.

It’s not a Miracle…it takes commitment to do your best!

It starts first thing this morning when Bossypants awakens at 6:13 a.m. yelling "Mommy...I want socks! Mooooom!  MOMMY!  MOM!  SOCKS!"  Apparently she lost a sock at some point during the night and needs another pair RIGHT NOW.  So of course I go to her room, remove a pair of socks from her dresser drawer, and walk the two feet to her bed to put them on her.   I'm not quite clear on exactly what prevents her from getting up and getting the socks herself, but I'm still mostly asleep at this point and just do what she wants.  Rules of engagement level one:  "The subject responds and complies to verbal commands. Close combat techniques do not apply."  Check.

Since sleep is no longer a possibility at this point Bossypants wants breakfast.  I offer boiled eggs, yogurt, and a banana.  Bossypants requests Pop Tarts.  I try to explain that Pop Tarts isn't a very good breakfast but am derailed by a bear hug and doe eyes coupled with her sincerest "pleeeeease?"  Pop Tarts it is.  Rules of engagement level two:  "The subject resists verbal commands but complies immediately to any contact controls. Close combat techniques do not apply."  Check.

By this time Poopypants is awake.  And, true to his name, he has a loaded diaper.  I succeed in removing his diaper and getting him squeaky clean but he escapes as I'm wrapping up the nuclear waste for disposal.  I catch him again and wrestle him down to try to get the clean diaper on him but Bossypants comes to his aid by launching herself onto my back for an impromptu piggyback ride.  Her elbow lands right about where the herniated disc in my neck is.  Rules of engagement level three:  "The subject initially demonstrates physical resistance. Use compliance techniques to control the situation.  Techniques include: Come-along holds, Soft-handed stunning blows, Pain compliance through the use of joint manipulation, and the use of pressure points."  Big check.

Time to get dressed.  I gather clothes and begin humming the theme from Mission: Impossible.  The TV show, not the sucky movie.  I get Poopypants dressed without much trouble because by now his attention is fully on the Baby Einstein video I save for just such occasions.  Bossypants sits by placidly while I dress her brother but jumps up and begins to run around the house like a drunk quarterback when she senses it's almost her turn.  I grab her as she makes a pass through the living room and manage to tug her shirt on.  I'm momentarily fooled by the fact that she's laying still, but the joke is on me because she's really reaching into my robe pocket to steal an inkpen.  Clutching her prize, she kicks free of my grasp and runs off in pantless victory.  I unconvincingly order her to "getoverhererightnowsoyoucangetdressed."  She ignores me and continues to zigzag out of my reach.  Ends by running into her bedroom and locking the door.  Rules of engagement level four:  "The subject may physically attack, but does not use a weapon. Use defensive tactics to neutralize the threat.  Defensive tactics include: Blocks, Strikes, Kicks, Enhanced pain compliance procedures, Impact weapon blocks and blows."  Check.

I retrieve the door key and extract Bossypants from her room.  Notice that she has used the inkpen to draw vertical lines on each cheek.  Looks suspiciously like war paint.  About the time I finally convince her to put on pants she notices that I'm holding a hairbrush aka Instrument Of Torture.  Bloodcurdling howls commence.  I brush her hair despite the tearful pleading and am almost finished when she looks at me and utters words I've never heard from her before.  "We not friends.  I want a different mommy."  I fall to the floor, dead of a broken heart.  Rules of engagement level five:  "The subject usually has a weapon and will either kill or injure someone if he/she is not stopped immediately and brought under control. The subject must be controlled by the use of deadly force with or without a firearm or weapon."   Check.  And the day is only half over.

Have you been posting out there on the blogosphere about John McCain and the good things he wants to do for this country only to be confronted by an angry liberal who accuses you of being a Troll.

Well we all know not to feed the Trolls.  But why are they calling you a Troll when you only want to elevate the discussion by informing the Board about John McCain? This is manifestly unfair of the liberal and not in keeping with the traditions of the internet.

Your response should be this: Inform the liberal that he is the Troll while you are the Talent.  You see, the person accusing you of being a Troll is in fact the Troll due to his attempt to stifles legitimate discussion of important issues by blusterous accusations.

You are important. You are serving a vital interest to the McCain Campaign and to our County.  You are Talent. You are not a Troll.  Heads high McCainiacs and do not be intimidated by boisterous liberals!

Now go hit those blogs and be positive and stay positive!

There are only 18 bona fide "new" scripted series premiering this year (last year, there were almost 30). Some aren't so much new as they are adaptations of popular overseas shows (the networks call this "reimagining"). The NBC sitcom Kath & Kim, based on an Australian comedy of the same name, falls in this category, as do Eleventh Hour and Worst Week on CBS, Life on Mars on ABC and Little Britain USA on HBO (all of which are "reimaginings" of British series). Then there are the holdovers from 2007-08: Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money and Private Practice on ABC, Life and Chuck on NBC. These shows all premiered last year, only to have their launches aborted due to the writers strike. Rather than bring them back last spring, the networks decided to "relaunch" them this season as if they were new (even though they're not).

Confused? No worries. Here's a brief look at what's new, what's sort of new, and the best of what's coming back on broadcast television and cable:

For a complete list of all returning shows this season, click here:

Ed Robertson
Pop Culture Critic and Television Historian
Co-Host, TV CONFIDENTIAL
Every other Tuesday at 10:30pm ET, 7:30pm PT
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