December 22, 2008

"PRIDE"-DBEM - METHODOLOGY CONSTRUCTION/NAVIGATION (SPECIAL)

This is Part XXI in our series on the "PRIDE" Methodologies for IRM. In this edition we provide a description of the concepts and philosophies used in the "PRIDE"-Data Base Engineering Methodology (DBEM).

The full text for this section can be obtained by clicking: HERE.

NEXT UP: Phase 1 - Data Base Study & Evaluation of the "PRIDE"-Data Base Engineering Methodology (DBEM).

If you would like to discuss this with me in more depth, please do not hesitate to send me an e-mail.

Keep the faith!

OUR BRYCE'S LAW OF THE WEEK therefore is...

"There are those who suggest that data "belongs" to the various users or departments of a company. This is like saying money is the property of the sales or accounting departments, not the company. Data belongs to the enterprise as a whole and not to any single person or department."

"MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD"

Friends, be sure to check out our book entitled, "MORPHING INTO THE REAL WORLD - A Handbook for Entering the Work Force" which is a survival guide for young people as they transition into adult life.

Bonnie Wooding, the President of the Toronto Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) said, "Many of our members are just starting their careers and I will be recommending that they read this book, especially Chapter 3, Professional Development - a primer for business skills and filled with basic common sense advice that is simple, easy to follow and extraordinarily practical; and Chapter 5, Do’s and Don’ts of the Workplace, an excellent resource for those questions you are too embarrassed to ask for fear of looking foolish."

The Miami Hurricane recently reviewed it (10/22/2007) and said,

"the abundance of information the book provides is a good start for anyone about to take the first step into the real world. Though the concept of adulthood may seem intimidating, it's comforting to know that someone has at least written a guidebook for it."

Reviewer Bill Petrey praised it by saying, "Every young person entering the workplace for the first time should be given a copy of this book."

The book includes chapters to describe how a young person should organize themselves, how to adapt to the corporate culture, develop their career, and improve themselves professionally and socially. Basically, its 208 pages of good sound advice to jump start the young person into the work force. Corporate Human Resource departments will also find this book useful for setting new hires on the right track in their career. It not only reinforces the many formal rules as contained in corporate policy manuals, but also includes the subtle unwritten rules we must all observe while working with others. The book lists for $25 and can be ordered online through MBA or your local book store. Complementing the book is a one day seminar of the same name which can be purchased separately for $4,000.00 (U.S.) plus instructor travel expenses. For more information on both the book and the seminar, visit our corporate web site at: http://www.phmainstreet.com/mba/morph.htm
ISBN: 978-0-9786182-5-4

MY "PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK" IS "PRESIDENTIAL LEGACIES"

We're coming down to the closing days of the Bush administration and I find it interesting how he has been portrayed as a political pariah. All presidents have some political baggage they have to take home with them as they leave office, but I find it interesting that the public tends to remember only the bad things and not the good things the President has done. To illustrate, consider the legacy of the last few presidents and how they will undoubtedly be remembered by historians, both pro and con:

Lyndon Johnson -
Negative: Will primarily be remembered for escalating the Viet Nam War.
Positive: But he will also be remembered for his "Great Society" legislation which is still with us today.

Richard Nixon -
Negative: Of course, Watergate is the first image conjured up by anyone discussing Nixon.
Positive: Opened relations with China and started an era of détente with the Soviet Union.

Gerald Ford -
Negative: Portrayed as a bumbler by the media, and his pardon of Richard Nixon didn't sit well with them either.
Positive: Although he was in office for only a short period of time, he was able to restore decency and honor to the presidency.

Jimmy Carter -
Negative: Iran is indelibly associated with Carter, including the fall of the Shah, the rise of the Ayotallah, the hostages, and the botched rescue attempt. Iran ultimately cost Carter the White House.
Positive: Helping to negotiate the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. He also started the Department of Energy and encouraged energy conservation.

Ronald Reagan -
Negative: The Iran-Contra affair was like an annoying gnat that wouldn't go away.
Positive: Will be better remembered for the demise of the Soviet Union, the introduction of "Reaganomics" and an era of prosperity.

George H.W. Bush -
Negative: "Read my lips" cost him dearly, but it was the recession that ultimately did him in.
Positive: Won the first Persian Gulf War, he presided over the end of the Cold War (and the fall of the Berlin Wall), and introduced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Bill Clinton -
Negative: Impeached, Somalia, Whitewater controversy, Sexual misconduct, etc.
Positive: Presided over a peacetime economic expansion and the first balanced budget in many years.

George W. Bush -
Negative: Will long be criticized for the current financial crisis and ending the military presence in Iraq.
Positive: He stepped up to the plate when called upon for the War on Terror and forced the terrorists into retreat. He formed an international coalition and conquered Iraq. He also put the "Axis of Evil" on notice that the United States was not to be trifled with. And his tax cuts will be emulated by future presidents.

Except for Reagan and Clinton, all of the presidents listed here will be remembered for the negatives and not the positives. As to Reagan, the Iran-Contra affair was considered small potatoes when compared to his other accomplishments. Clinton on the other hand represents a strange conundrum; even though his administration was always at the forefront of controversy, he ended his term of office with high approval ratings. Whereas his antics would normally be considered political poison for anyone else, Clinton somehow came out of it smelling like a rose and is still held in high regard by the Democrats.

In contrast to Clinton, President Bush is not embraced by anyone, including his own political party. It disturbs me that Bush is portrayed as a bumbling uneducated schmuck while "Slick Willie" is seen as a saint. Wow, talk about having our moral values mixed up.

Nobody else will say it, so I will: Thank you President Bush for your many years of service to our country. Were you perfect? No, but neither will your successors be as they will undoubtedly screw-up somehow along the way. For some reason the media and American public seems to forget that we elect human-beings to the office of the President, not Gods.

Such is my Pet Peeve of the Week.

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

"BRYCE'S PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK"

Folks, a couple of years ago I started to include my "Pet Peeve of the Week" in these "Management Visions" podcasts. They have become so popular that I now syndicate them through the Internet and they are available for republication in other media. To this end, I have created a separate web page for my writings which you can find at phmainstreet.com Look for the section, "The Bryce is Right!" Hope you enjoy them.

Also, if you happen to be in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, be sure to stop by and check out our new Palm Harbor Business OASIS, a new business venue offering local business people a place to meet, work, network, and relax. Why pay a lot for leasing office space when you can become a member of the OASIS for as little as $100/month? For more information, visit our web site at: http://www.phboasis.com/

AND FINALLY...

I received the following e-mail regarding my Pet Peeve on "Cheating":

An R.Y. of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio wrote...

"I read an article in the Akron Beacon Journal (Dec.1, 2008 "High School Kids Lie, Cheat, and Steal") recently. It seems that although these surveyed students cheat and steal and lie more, 93% said that they "were satisfied with their personal ethics and character." Educators pointed out that there is more pressure and opportunities to cheat. But what about stealing - from stores and parents? What about the lying? I don't buy it. I think it goes back to entitlement - being entitled to a college education, to a job that pays top dollar and benefits right out of college, entitled to a new car, a house and all the things that go with it - those things that my parents, my husband and I, had to work years for. And let's not forget who their political role models have been!"

An E.C. of Fort Lauderdale, Florida wrote...

"Amen to your article. I see the effects of cheating all the time. The majority of students do it. Recent studies indicate that around 68% of students in high school have cheated on a test in the past year. Cheating is corrosive. People don't realize how damaging it is to the social bonds. Most people also consider themselves very ethical (same study). There is a serious disconnect here."

I received the following e-mails from my "Pet Peeve" entitled, "Breaking the Media's Influence":

A J.S. of Skidway Lake, Michigan wrote...

"You've made some excellent points, Tim. The media is no longer reporting factual news. News stories are mostly spin and speculation. Irresponsible jounalism is rampant. While the ad revenues may be supporting TV and Internet news, newpapers are bleeding red ink. The Detroit Free Press has reduced publication days to a few days per week. Other newspapers are closing altogether. I am also disgusted by the amount of money spent on campaigns. People are out of work, filing bankruptcy, getting foreclosed, are homeless and sick, but the campaign coffers are overflowing."

A P.E. of Dunedin, Florida wrote... A J.S. of Skidway Lake, Michigan wrote...

"Tim, Another great one!! Have you ever considered submitting some of your writings, especially the political ones, to The Washington Times, Investors Business Daily, Wall Street Journal, etc.?"

TIM'S REPLY: Thanks for your note. I used to submit articles to them, but I guess my writings are not controversial enough. If you know of someone who would enjoy my work though, please do not hesitate to forward my announcements to them or point them in the direction or my web address.

Again, thanks for your comments. For these and other comments, please visit my "Bryce is Right!" web site.

Keep those cards and letters coming.

MBA is an international management consulting firm specializing in Information Resource Management. We offer training, consulting, and writing services in the areas of Enterprise Engineering, Systems Engineering, Data Base Engineering, Project Management, Methodologies and Repositories. For information, call us at 727/786-4567.

Our corporate web page is at:

http://phmainstreet.com/mba/

Management Visions is a presentation of M. Bryce & Associates, a division of M&JB Investment Company of Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. The program is produced on a weekly basis and updated on Sundays. It is available in versions for RealPlayer, Microsoft Media Player, and MP3 suitable for Podcasting. See our web site for details. You'll find our broadcast listed in several Podcast and Internet Search engines, as well as Apples' iTunes.

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Copyright © 2008 by M&JB Investment Company of Palm Harbor, Florida, USA. All rights reserved. "PRIDE" is the registered trademark of M&JB Investment Company.

This is Tim Bryce reporting.

Since 1971: "Software for the finest computer - the Mind."

END