January 19, 2009

"PRIDE"-DBEM - PHASE 4 - ENTERPRISE PHYSICAL DB DESIGN (SPECIAL)

This is Part XXV in our series on the "PRIDE" Methodologies for IRM. In this edition we describe the activities of Phase 4, "Enterprise Physical Data Base Design" in the "PRIDE"-Data Base Engineering Methodology (DBEM).

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

NEXT UP: Phase 5, "Application Physical DB Design" 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...

"Whereas the logical Data Base will remain relatively static, the physical data base changes dynamically."

"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 "RESUMES"

I've read a lot of resumes in my day. Coming from the Information Technology sector I have seen some pretty crazy ones filled with a lot of gobbledygook involving technical acronyms and programming jargon. Here's an example, "Proficient in the following languages and operating platforms: C, C++, DOS, MVS, CICS, ISPF/VS, DB2, OS/2, OS/400, AIX, UNIX, Java, JavaScript, Perl, Basic, HTML, DHTML, XHTML, XML, PHP, PDP, JCL, SQL, George 3, Win95/98/Me/XP/VISTA, etc." Sounds pretty impressive doesn't it? The problem is verifying that the person does, in fact, know these things. Most of the time I've found they might have nothing more than a rudimentary knowledge of the subject which is why we recommend testing the applicant as opposed to just taking his/her word for it.

I also find it irritating when a person uses verbose language to describe himself. For example, whenever someone says they are a "Senior Software Engineer," this simply means he is nothing more than a programmer with two or more jobs under his belt. Some people add so many adjectives to describe their credentials and boast of their successes (not their failures) that you would think he is the second coming of Christ. Whenever I see this, I ask myself, "If this person is so great, why isn't he running his own company; why does he need a job from me?" Touting ones' successes is natural, but a little humility in the presentation of the resume would sure be refreshing.

I may not be an expert in preparing resumes, but I think the ones that appeal to me most are those that are simple and to the point. Frankly, if they cannot keep it to one page that isn't too busy looking, I think people will lose interest. I know I do. If I want additional detail, I'll ask for it. Tell me plain and simple: What are you interested in doing? What's your background? (your employment history) and What do you know? (your skill set). I don't want to know how you conquered neuro-electronic fusion systems based on a hashing algorithm you invented; do not try to baffle me with your brilliance. Just tell me how you can do a job for me and blend into the corporate culture. I think team accomplishments are still valued over individual achievement by most employers today.

Just remember if the person's resume seems too good to be true, in all likelihood it is.

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 "Trust":

An M.R. of Oregon wrote...

"I have been pondering such changes in society myself. Honor, handshakes, and promises just do not matter anymore. The John Waynes, Roy Rogers and the like, and what they stood for, no longer apply. Now the hero's are drug popping athletes, actors and musicians who drug overdose. Good is bad, bad is good and the bad guy is the hero in our movies....... Chaos."

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

"This is so well expressed and on the money, Tim. "Once bitten; twice shy" is an old adage, but was seldom applied to friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and government officials. With all the scams, spam, identity theft, internet hoaxes and computer viruses, it gets harder to trust anyone or to recognize a legitimate opportunity. I wonder how many of us have missed out on something good due to lack of trust. It is very hard to earn back trust once it has been lost. If a contractor cheats us, we can sue or simply not hire him again. When a family member violates our trust, it becomes much more serious. Wanting to love and trust family has to be tempered by a lock on the wallet and a healthy dose of skepticism. It can take as little as one minute to lose trust and a lifetime to regain it."

I received the following e-mail regarding my Pet Peeve on "Managing a Nonprofit Organization":

A D.T. of San Francisco, California wrote...

"Tim, I was expecting "peeves." Thanks for the useful, constructive comments. Being in California myself, I also would remind people to make sure they are in compliance with the appropriate laws and/or insurance needs, such as for liability, employment, and tax matters."

A G.W. of Miami, Florida wrote...

"One look at my bank account and you will see I have many years experience running a nonprofit venture."

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.

If you have any questions or would like to be placed on our e-mailing list to receive notification of future broadcasts, please e-mail it to timb001@phmainstreet.com

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Copyright © 2009 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