At the Door of a New Year! We Ask: Are We Lazy Creatures?!

"To reach a port, we must sail—Sail, not tie at anchor—Sail, not drift.", Franklin Roosevelt This is a haunting question. There is a plenty of evidence about human beings laziness compared to other creatures on the planet! I believe that the statement that “we are lazy creatures” is true to some extent and varies from one...

Need for Speed! Increase your Productivity

“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.” Paul J. Meyer It is very important to learn the secrets of increasing productivity. Time is the most valuable asset in this life. Proper utilization of time (or this asset) you can get any other...

Do not Bother Me with Much Thinking! – Usability Engineering Essentials

"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works", Steve Jobs I have long time since my last post. More sharpened time management techniques are required here! Since long time, since early days of college, I am thinking about good design. I am fond of good design of anything...

What makes a good manager?!

"The productivity of work is not the responsibility of the worker but of the manager.", Peter F. Drucker, 1909 This is a controversial question. What are the factors and attributes that contribute to make a good manager?. Unfortunately good management does not have a secret recipe to follow. Good management is dealing with people and requires social and...

What Customers Want? Introduction to Software Requirements -PART 1

Walking on water and developing software from a specification are easy if both are frozen, Edward V. Berard We are living an era where services industry is booming. Current markets are full of new faces other than conventional manufacturing and tangible products. Information technology service is one of those rising industries in services sector. IT Professional and...

Does IT Consultant Need Sales Skills?!

"It is not your customer's job to remember you. It is your obligation and responsibility to make sure they don't have the chance to forget you", Patricia Fripp. Although someone may think that selling skills are far from duties of IT consultant, I believe, on contrary, it is a core skill for successful one. However,...

Productivity Tips – How to Utilize Tiny Time Slots

“We say we waste time, but that is impossible. We waste ourselves.”, Alice Bloch Everyone of us encounters daily situations of wasting time. Daily commuting between home and work, waiting for dentist or doctor, queuing for a governmental service, usual waiting for your wife while shopping, waiting to pick kids from school, and a lot of...

Negotiation: You get what you negotiate not what you deserve!

"Never cut what you can untie", Joseph Joubert, 1754 - 1824 I borrowed a quote from Dr. Chester L. Karrass that is expressive for the importance of negotiation in our lives. Negotiation is an important branch within communication skill. There are many situations in life and profession that require high degree of negotiation skills in order to achieve success. In...

Effective Reading List for IT Consultants!

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”, Margaret Fuller, 1810-1850 In information age, knowledge is more available than ever at any age. I have compiled here a list of recommended reading books that I found very helpful in forming my thinking and awareness. I classified this list into categories based on the topic. Anyone can pick...