Internet of Things

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2NHRRDl
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3uooSU

In this day and age, you have lots of choices when it comes to the internet. These choices can be big or small, from choosing an online banking platform to deciding whether or not to get wifi-capable light bulbs. 

These decisions might not seem super important but, with so much at stake, you need to choose what you are allowing technology to influence. 

The main thing to look at is the specific value that technology is bringing to the table. It is not bad to embrace new technology or know more about what we are doing, but it’s important that you are getting a return on your investment by implementing technology more into your daily life. 

Take a smoker for example. Humans have been smoking meat for a very long time—longer than we’ve had the internet, that’s for sure. Smoking meat has always been fairly simple: you put the meat in and then you wait. It’s a no-fuss cooking process and the hardest part is just being patient. With technology, you now have the option to get a wifi-capable smoker. This allows you to check the temperature of the meat at all times and monitor the cooking process from start to finish. This is not a bad thing, but it seems a bit unnecessary. By opening the smoker and adjusting things or messing with the controls in general, you are making the smoker’s job or smoking meat harder. The best thing to do is just walk away from the smoker and let it do its job without technology messing with the controls.

Sometimes, the less that people know about specific things within their operations, the better. Take the smoker. If you are aware of the whole process and something normal happens that seems like a problem, then you might freak out and do something unnecessary like change the temperature. Ultimately, you are supposed to just let the meat cook and messing with the temperature might end up being the problem that ruins your meal. 

You now have more knowledge than before and you don’t know what to do with it. The internet of things provides a lot of features and data, but do you truly need all of that information? 

The simplest of things has now become complicated. Troubleshooting has become a whole different ball game with customization available for every single issue in the book. Although technology is important and it does advance our lives, there is not value in every item integrated with the internet. 

Here’s a good rule to follow: don’t make something web-capable that you rely on for your livelihood. Be smart about what you are enabling and make sure you know how to function without the internet of things. Also, make sure that it’s improving and enhancing your life and not becoming a distraction. 

Music in IT

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2NHRRDl
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3uooSU

Entertainment drives a lot of innovation, and music is a huge part of that. People’s desire to listen to music how they want, where they want created the need for new software, media and technology — all of which has come so far. 

People love music. You probably have a style of music and a way of listening that is completely unique to you. Even more, you probably have a preference of where to listen and what streaming software to use. The crazy thing is, there weren’t always this many options on how to enjoy music.

For IT purposes, music sharing at the very beginning was causing issues. Peer-to-peer music programs that would allow you to share your entire harddrive of music with other people became huge bandwidth hogs and overloaded systems. This showed the need for a safer and more effective way to share and stream music. 

It is very normal for people to listen to music in their cubicle or at their desk, but this has not always been the case. IT is where this trend started. 

It started back when they first started streaming or uploading music. This was the beginning of the era where music was readily available and people could access any type of music under the sun. Prior to this, people had to have some sort of CD or radio station playing. The ability to tap into such a huge album set started with IT guys simply wanting to tap into and explore a new technology. 

In IT, music is so much a part of the culture. It is now a part of our work and everyday life.

Music can really help with focus. In your IT department, you can probably look around and see most people with headphones in, listening to the type of music that they want. There is a freedom in that and also a sense of isolation that IT professionals can find through putting in their headphones and hitting play. Technology enables this and tech people embrace it more than other people because of the type of work that they do. 

The best innovations come when multi-media is involved and when we see people doing really cool things that are entertaining, we see great leaps forward in innovation. 

Take streaming for example. We’ve been able to stream meetings for years now, with the same crummy technology and no advancements. When people took that technology and decided to stream themselves gaming, all of a sudden, technology advancements boomed. People love to be entertained. 

Taking this point back to music, when the idea that music could be used to entertain people all day every day, needed and necessary advancements were created, giving us the beautiful streaming services we have today.

Business Shiny Things

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2NHRRDl
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3uooSU

Last week, we talked about shiny things in IT. This week, we’re bringing you the business side of shiny things. Let’s dive in!

Let’s say an executive goes to a Microsoft Conference and learns about a bunch of new technologies and software. Then, this business executive likes the sound of them and signs up for a bunch of new things. This is all exciting and new to the business professional because it has the potential to bring new productivity to the office and streamline everything. The problem is, this business professional gives it to the IT professional and expects it to be implemented in order to make their business better. This brings a lot of work to the IT department and may not work well with the existing systems, making it necessary to rework the entire way of doing things.

The other issue is that the business professional bought shiny things without an understanding of how the shiny things will actually help the business. Great ideas are fun, but they don’t always work very well, are expensive, and require lots of upkeep. Basically, it’s bad to invest in shiny things without the demand already there. 

The latest methodology or frameworks can be overly complicated and might not work for your business. And, the more complicated the system, the more difficult it will be to implement. Even if something looks great, it just might not be the best option for your company. 

Look at your framework as a playground. Have people do things the way they want to, then, when “recess” is done, have everyone line up at the door together. This way of doing things allows for people to feel comfortable in how they go about working, but still keeps things streamlined for your business. As long as you line up at the door, you can do things the way you would like. 

The biggest question to ask yourself when looking at new, shiny business things is this: what business practices fit into what I am already doing? It should feel like implementing new systems does not take much effort and allow a slow and natural move. 

Back in the day, Palm Pilots were all the rage. People bought them hoping to be better organized in their day-to-day lives. The issue was that you already had to be organized to have the Palm Pilot work for you. If you already struggled to be organized, then a Palm Pilot would not help you. Or, if you’re not already using a day planner, then an electronic day planner will be no help to you. 

Think about how you already think and work and find new technologies that will fit into that and make your business more efficient. Also, think about your employees. Every single person is different and new systems will not always work for every single person. 

Augment things that you already do and allow shiny things to drive your business instead of confusing and overcomplicating. Make sure that the shiny and cool technology has a practical purpose that you can implement and support. 

Shiny IT Things

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2NHRRDl
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3uooSU 

Shiny things: we love them, we hate them and sometimes they ruin our day. But, what are shiny things exactly? In the IT world, it is any new technology or systems that aren’t useful, but very exciting. 

New technology isn’t a bad thing, but there is always something new — how do you decide to implement this new technology or use the systems that are already in place? Generally, older IT people have had to update technology multiple times, so new, shiny things mostly mean more work than anything else. Or, some technology used to be so cool, but now serves no purpose. 

With that being said, you can see why some older IT guys get a little cranky. Younger IT professionals may get excited about new technology because they have not had to install that new technology six times. Shiny things are fun, but can become less fun over time. 

Although they can become less fun, shiny things are not completely useless. If you can make something look cool and have it function very well, then that is a huge bonus. When creating things for clients to use, you want it to look professional and put together. Something that looks good and feels good to a client is a good thing. So, making something shiny while still being functional is like putting the cherry on top of a moist piece of cake. 

Shiny things go beyond just technology too. It can be the latest trend, the next best thing or a way to achieve some sort of status. 

Let’s take AirPods for example. They have become a really popular item to show status, popularity or income. This has become such a sought after item, simply for the status that it brings. People have begun cutting the wires off of their wire earbuds, getting rid of all functionality whatsoever, simply to look the part. 

We spend so much money and time on shiny things, when we should be really asking ourselves how our money could be better spent. Are there other things that would be a better investment for your money? Do you want this item or do you need it? 

Appearance is important, but should not be the only reason something shiny is purchased. Look out for new, shiny technology and make sure you ask yourself if you really need it before purchasing. 

Gaming in IT

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2NHRRDl
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3uooSU

It is safe to assume that, if you are in IT, you have an upbringing in video games. And maybe, just maybe, that is what sparked your interest in the technological world in the first place. 

Video games are an important part of today’s culture and hold a lot of weight and influence. What used to be thought of as nerdy is now considered very normal. IT professionals may not be avid gamers, but everyone has their choice of distraction or relaxation. 

Looking back to younger years, video games were a lot different. Some were extremely difficult and had to be played over and over again in order to master. Others were unable to be saved — so, in order to keep progress going, you had to set up camp with food and drinks so you could keep playing without interruption. Zelda was one exception to this: you could save your progress. Ground-breaking! 

Another popular thing before modern day gaming was LAN parties. This was a way to play video games together with a large group of friends before multiplayer was created. People would connect their computers together and gather around a group of PCs, eat snacks and drink large amounts of Mountain Dew. This created an atmosphere of community surrounding video games and made it a group activity. 

Developers created a fun way for gamers to play their games by hiding easter eggs within their levels or worlds. Think hide and seek, but virtual. This brought fun for those with keen attention to detail and created another way for the games to be played. 

One of the most loved games from the 90s was Baldur’s Gate, a structured and interactive world. This was a game that allowed players to interact with one another and create worlds that they could claim as their own. This interactive type of game gave players an ability to practice problem solving and use their imagination.

There is a downside to video games: obsession. Video games have become such a part of mainstream culture, making it normal to spend hours staring at the screen. This isn’t a bad thing, but can become a problem when it gets in the way of social interaction or healthy habits. Some video game worlds are massive and you can get lost exploring them, taking up hours and hours of time. 

Dopamine bursts happen when you play video games, making it a world that is easy to get sucked into. It is important to create and maintain balance, just like you would for anything else. 

With that being said, it is still something prevalent that you can use to your advantage in your company. Since most IT professionals have a deep and long standing love for video games, create a small game room or breakroom space for your employees to interact and spend time with each other. This allows them to hang out doing something that they love, and creates an incentive for them to finish their work in a timely manner. 

There is common ground found in video games, and this is a positive thing when used in a healthy and beneficial way. Check in with your IT department and start a conversation about video games — chances are, you will get fun game recommendations and create stronger relationships within your business. 

Drinks with IT -  August: For the Love of Coffee

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2NHRRDl
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3uooSUX

Drinks with IT is our series of episodes where IT professionals guest star on the podcast, we crack open a cold one and let the conversation flow naturally. Our goal with these chats is to let you be a fly on the wall during our conversations so you can get an idea of the types of things IT professionals talk and care about. 

Here are some things we talked about!

• Types of Coffee ⇨ Whether your go-to drink includes a pot of coffee, french press or a trip to Starbucks, most people drink some form of coffee to start their day. Adam has always loved plain, black coffee, but Skip introduced him to a whole new world of coffee possibilities. 
• Community ⇨ Having a coffee pot or machine creates community in your office or work space. It’s not just coffee, though! Having a stocked fridge with red bull, gatorade, tea or soda can be a great way to build up your office. 
• Show You Care ⇨ As an employer, you have the amazing opportunity to treat your employees with the utmost care by doing small, simple things to make their days better. This might include keeping a fridge stocked with their favorite drinks or getting a good coffee pot. Bring in donuts every so often and create a space where people feel excited to come to work and do their job.
• Litmus Test ⇨ Try this exercise at your next job interview to see if the work environment is healthy and if the employer or company takes care of its employees. Just ask for a cup of coffee and see what the response is. If you are handed a bitter cup of cheap coffee, it might not be the best place to work. If you are handed a hot cup of creamy coffee, maybe the employer has put a little extra money into taking care of the employees in the building. 

We loved chatting about these topics and more! Listen to this week’s episode of Humanize IT to get the full conversation. 

Travel and Technology

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2NHRRDl
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3uooSU

Technology is wonderful, but have we become too dependent on it when it comes to traveling and our everyday lives?

When you do not have technology, what do you do? There are huge areas of the world that always have signal and internet connection. What happens when technology doesn’t support us in the ways that we expect it to? All of a sudden, we are at a loss and are left to find other options. 

We have become solely dependent on technology to the point where, if something isn’t working, everything kind of stops. This is a huge problem in business, but it also affects travel too. Here’s an example.

Let’s say you are vacationing in a new country where you do not speak the language. This is not an issue because of technology that provides translation tools that help us communicate. But, if your phone dies or you lose signal, you no longer have a means of communication. What do you do then? Most people wouldn’t know what to do, meaning that technology has taken over that area of travel and made it seem like other options are pointless. 

Technology isn’t bad per se, it has made traveling much easier and more accessible. But, when you are at a loss or when things come to a standstill when technology malfunctions or can not work, then that is an issue. 

With that being said, technology has advanced how people travel and has made lots of improvements to people’s experiences.

There are apps that read and translate signs, making driving and getting places easier than ever before. Entertainment on flights! Wow, people now have options for movies, better internet connection and an ability to track the flight as you go along. Translation tools also make communicating much easier so you can get around and be more assimilated into the culture of where you are traveling to. 

Like anything, with the positives of technology also come negatives, making it really important to practice taking detoxes from technology. 

We’re not over using technology, but if we are at a standstill because of a lack of technology, then that is a problem. We need to recognize in our personal lives that you need to have other options outside of the technology that you generally use in order to be prepared. 

Processes can simplify when it comes to using technology. It does not have to be in every single aspect of our lives. It can be refreshing or easier to use a non-augmented option — it might give you some self-confidence, too! 

Technology is not bad. It has made traveling much easier. Just make sure you are not solely dependent on it for all areas of your life — especially travel.

EpISODE 164: Complexity is the Enemy

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2NHRRDl
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3uooSUX

Having a simple solution is better than having a perfect solution. People are constantly in danger of over-complicating solutions. Here is how you can simplify things and make them more elegant and easier to understand. 

The world is complex. When creating a project or coding a system, it is super important to document your work. Commenting and reminding yourself of certain tips and tricks is helpful for you down the road. You should put 2-3 lines of comments for every line of code to make it less complex and increase your ability to return to the code later on and still understand how to use it efficiently. Plus, if you comment as you’re creating, the code will be fresh in your mind and make more sense than it will at any other point in time. 

We can make things a little over the top. We’re human — it happens! 

The best way to know if you have over-complicated a project is to explain it to someone. If you launch into a long narrative and need to explain every little detail in order for the person to make sense of what you have created, then it is probably too difficult to actually implement or be used in your business by other people. If so, it is time to step back and rework your project in order to be simple and easier to understand. 

It’s easy to get distracted by the possibility of creating something cool and forget to ask yourself if the process needs to be automated in the first place. 

Look at your process. Can you explain it in less than 30 seconds? If not, it might be time to take the big, complicated process and take steps to simplify so your business can more-easily manage the system. 

Understand the ins and outs of your process so you can let your company and other employees know what it is and how it is solving problems. Once everyone understands the process or system being used, your business will flourish. 

Have your IT professionals take a look at the process your business professionals are using and vice versa. There may be an easier solution or tool that can simplify both profession’s ways of doing things in order to make everyone more efficient.

Once things are easier, you can sell more, onboard new clients and have more time to dedicate to other, more important things. 

The best thing to keep in mind is the plan that is going to work is the one that you have in front of you. You will not always be able to make your process simple right away — you might have to use a complicated system if it is the only one available to you. But, there is always the ability to go back and simplify over time. 

Complexity crushes our ability to talk to people and it takes up time. Write down what you’re doing as you’re doing it, explain it to someone else so that they understand what you’re doing and know that you can always go back and simplify as you learn and grow with the system. 

Episode 163: Exercise and IT

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2NHRRDl

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3uooSUX

This week’s episode could be called “Take Care of Yourself, For the Love of God!!” That being said, we decided to focus on the problem that is not talked about very often in the IT world but is very important and prevalent. That issue is exercise and eating right. 

If you are an IT professional, you most likely spend the majority of your time at work sitting down, slouched and sunken down into a comfortable position in your swivel chair. This is great for getting lots of work done, but your body and mind are most likely suffering. 

Getting up and moving around is so important and there are lots of good ways to do that while still getting stuff done. Some of these methods include desk cycles, walking desks and taking the stairs to your office or workspace. Also, take the time to get up from your desk or office and walk around. These tools and methods may seem inconvenient or distracting, but they will help so much in the long run.

You might have also gotten into the habit of sitting at work for long hours and returning home simply to sit down and game or watch T.V. meaning you would be sitting basically the entire day. 

Now, if you work from home, this is all much harder to accomplish. You most likely have gotten into the habit of sitting for longer than normal due to a lack of getting up for meetings or to visit with someone in the office. You will have to input routines in place in order to avoid sitting for too long during the day. 

Start including a workout routine into your daily routine and watch it become easier to get up and get active the longer you exercise. It takes about six months for routines to set in, meaning that it won’t be an overnight fix.

The other aspect of taking care of yourself is choosing healthy food options throughout your day. This doesn’t mean that you have to eat a salad for every meal! Just substitute overly processed and sugary foods for better-for-you meals and snacks. 

It is very easy to grab meals and snacks with the goal to feel full quickly, no matter how the food makes you feel. Pop-Tarts, Doritos, Burger King, etc. This becomes especially difficult if you travel for the majority of your job. On-the-road snacks and quick meals are fun, but don’t do your body any justice. 

Getting a good breakfast under your belt will set your day up for success and allow you the energy you need to continue making health-conscious decisions. 

When you get proper exercise and eat healthily, you will have the energy and control over your body in order to excel at your job. So, take the stairs and eat a good meal and start feeling great! 

ost content here…

Unified Member Success

I am really looking forward to the unified focus we can now deliver to our members.  The synergies between Virtual C and Managed Services Platform have been obvious for years and our partnership has allowed us to help many of you grow your business.  However, as two separate companies, there were always slight variances in our goals and methodologies.  I am excited about what our expanded team will now be able to focus on and how we will be able to better leverage that teamwork.

So what does this mean for you?  I think we will be able to bring more context to the tools you are using.  Virtual C's experience in coaching and creating content has been developed with MSPs from all over the world.  When we talk about how to use the MSPL tool and the benefits from the various features, these are real-world applicable experiences. 

Now, not everybody is the same, in fact, we know you are a unique snowflake ;) but the processes and methods we share are actionable items, that may very well fit in your personal snowglobe!

We are all very accustomed to the ever-changing technology landscape, but sometimes we don't see those changes are happening in our business landscapes.  As we continue to work to grow our toolsets we want to also develop a community of professionals who are focused on recognizing these changes, embracing them, and building better companies.

This is an exciting journey and I look forward to traveling it with you!