I was out to lunch the other day with two collegues...It was one of those "let's go out to lunch for your last day..." the changing times continue to change...
The discussion was pretty typical, who's hot, who's not...other industry stuff...
Drawing programs came up, and someone mentioned Google SketchUp
It a free 3D model sketching program...it's webdriven and compatible with Google Earth...
I got the download...it looks pretty fun...very powerful...I am going to try to convert some of my 2D sketch drawings into 3D models...
Check it out...
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
The power of many...
If you've worked in this industry long enough, you have had the opportunity to see the power of a group of people all focused on a common goal...
and the extraordinary things that can be accomplished...
If you are not sure this is really possible, take 2 minutes and 32 seconds out of your life to see for yourself...
Don't waste one minute...
Thon.org
.
and the extraordinary things that can be accomplished...
If you are not sure this is really possible, take 2 minutes and 32 seconds out of your life to see for yourself...
Don't waste one minute...
Thon.org
.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Service Improvement...
What would we do if our service was a product? and we wanted to improve it...
Lots of people like Tom Peters, are always talking about moving up the service scale…
products, services, experiences…and I agree…
But that should not mean that we can’t learn something from looking back the other way…
Just the concept that there should always be an effort underway to improve…
Some quick examples…
Provide solutions for lingering problems- when the product is used, it leaves a mess in the container…solution squeezable tubes for clean product dispensing…
Improve product- from radical re-design to adding a single new feature…
Expand market segment- find another market segment to sell…expand existing market segment…
Make it cheaper…continuous improvement…
Develop related products…similar to the expanded market, have more things to sell…
In engineering, people are too quick to turn to cost as the most competitive aspect of selling engineering…it shows a limited review of the situation…
Lots of people like Tom Peters, are always talking about moving up the service scale…
products, services, experiences…and I agree…
But that should not mean that we can’t learn something from looking back the other way…
Just the concept that there should always be an effort underway to improve…
Some quick examples…
Provide solutions for lingering problems- when the product is used, it leaves a mess in the container…solution squeezable tubes for clean product dispensing…
Improve product- from radical re-design to adding a single new feature…
Expand market segment- find another market segment to sell…expand existing market segment…
Make it cheaper…continuous improvement…
Develop related products…similar to the expanded market, have more things to sell…
In engineering, people are too quick to turn to cost as the most competitive aspect of selling engineering…it shows a limited review of the situation…
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Pick Three Themes...
I have decided the following three themes will be my focus for 2007, and maybe beyond...
Client Service- what does it take to make the Client the Hero?...
Technical Quality- there is no substitute for the correct information during a construction project...
Safety- I don't think you can justify leaving this one out...
Client Service- what does it take to make the Client the Hero?...
Technical Quality- there is no substitute for the correct information during a construction project...
Safety- I don't think you can justify leaving this one out...
Friday, January 19, 2007
How to be creative in architecture
Another manifesto...
Being an architect in and of itself is supposedly a creative endeavor. But, it's not. The business model, the approach - not creative. It has become a commodity. Architects undercut each other to the point of insanity, creating a "low-baller's profession". The good architects transcend all of this. Joe Schmoe will not undercut Daniel Libeskind. You have to be creative, not just in your designs, but in your approach and mentality.
link to Josh's Architectural Manifesto...
Being an architect in and of itself is supposedly a creative endeavor. But, it's not. The business model, the approach - not creative. It has become a commodity. Architects undercut each other to the point of insanity, creating a "low-baller's profession". The good architects transcend all of this. Joe Schmoe will not undercut Daniel Libeskind. You have to be creative, not just in your designs, but in your approach and mentality.
link to Josh's Architectural Manifesto...
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Client Input...
People + process = project success….
We typically build our client presentations around two things…
our people, the Team…
and how our team will work, the Process
I think we miss out on a critical point if we think only these two items will determine whether a project succeeds or not…we have left out the client.
People + process + client input = project success….
Clients provide critical input to the project process…obviously, let’s not overlook the basics like the actual project itself, and more importantly, if not more obviously, the money to pay for the project…
The client project team also provides critical input, decision making, political support, etc…all of which have a dramatic impact on the possible success or failure of a project…
Reviewing the level of input with the client before the project starts will allow both the client and the consultant to have a clear understanding of what is required, or maybe more importantly, differences in opinions about what is required.
Even more importantly, reviewing the expected input to a project with a possible client may give you a clearer view of whether or not the prospective client shares your attitudes about what it takes from each party to make a project successful…something which is better found out before a project starts, not afterwards…
We typically build our client presentations around two things…
our people, the Team…
and how our team will work, the Process
I think we miss out on a critical point if we think only these two items will determine whether a project succeeds or not…we have left out the client.
People + process + client input = project success….
Clients provide critical input to the project process…obviously, let’s not overlook the basics like the actual project itself, and more importantly, if not more obviously, the money to pay for the project…
The client project team also provides critical input, decision making, political support, etc…all of which have a dramatic impact on the possible success or failure of a project…
Reviewing the level of input with the client before the project starts will allow both the client and the consultant to have a clear understanding of what is required, or maybe more importantly, differences in opinions about what is required.
Even more importantly, reviewing the expected input to a project with a possible client may give you a clearer view of whether or not the prospective client shares your attitudes about what it takes from each party to make a project successful…something which is better found out before a project starts, not afterwards…
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Design Ideas...
Mark MacInturf gave a lecture on design ideas and made the great point that there are only two good analogies for design ideas...the "suitcase" and the "bunch of grapes"...and he had great sketches to go with them...
I was driving home from a site visit today and was listening to some music for the drive...
"Architecture as frozen music" leads to some other design ideas...
Texture..., Rythm..., Articulation...
I was driving home from a site visit today and was listening to some music for the drive...
"Architecture as frozen music" leads to some other design ideas...
Texture..., Rythm..., Articulation...
Thursday, January 04, 2007
I need a list for the New Year...
of 100 things to do to improve Client service...
here goes:
1- show up prepared
2- get one thing done every day
3- explain your work process
4- communicate
5- align the team
6- focus
7- put the project first
8-
9-
10-
I also need a list of 10 things to do this year to improve Client service...
What will the "top ten" be?
I really need a list of the 1 thing to do this year to improve Client service...
What will number 1 be?
here goes:
1- show up prepared
2- get one thing done every day
3- explain your work process
4- communicate
5- align the team
6- focus
7- put the project first
8-
9-
10-
I also need a list of 10 things to do this year to improve Client service...
What will the "top ten" be?
I really need a list of the 1 thing to do this year to improve Client service...
What will number 1 be?
We are obligated...
to teach...
those younger than us, with less experience, we can help...we have to...
to learn...
we have to continue to learn, from those of us with more experience...we have to...
those younger than us, with less experience, we can help...we have to...
to learn...
we have to continue to learn, from those of us with more experience...we have to...
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Santa Science
Relativity Clouds???...
This is a good counterpoint to the typical engineering analysis that kills the fun...
Don’t believe in Santa Claus?
If you’re skeptical of Santa’s abilities to deliver presents to millions of homes and children in just one night, North Carolina State University’s Dr. Larry Silverberg, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, can explain the plausible science and engineering principles that could allow the Jolly Old Elf to pull off the magical feat year after year.
With his cherubic smile and twinkling eyes, Santa may appear to be merely a jolly old soul but he and his North Pole elves have a lot going on under the funny-looking hats, Silverberg says. Their advanced knowledge of electromagnetic waves, the space/time continuum, nanotechnology, genetic engineering and computer science easily trumps the know-how of contemporary scientists.
Silverberg says that Santa has a personal pipeline to children’s thoughts – via a listening antenna that combines technologies currently used in cell phones and EKGs – which informs him that Mary in Miami hopes for a surfboard, while Michael from Minneapolis wants a snowboard. A sophisticated signal processing system filters the data, giving Santa clues on who wants what, where children live, and even who’s been bad or good. Later, all this information will be processed in an onboard sleigh guidance system, which will provide Santa with the most efficient delivery route.
Silverberg adds that letters to Santa via snail mail still get the job done, however.
Silverberg is not so naïve as to think that Santa and his reindeer can travel approximately 200 million square miles – making stops in some 80 million homes – in one night. Instead, he posits that Santa uses his knowledge of the space/time continuum to form what Silverberg calls “relativity clouds.”
“Based on his advanced knowledge of the theory of relativity, Santa recognizes that time can be stretched like a rubber band, that space can be squeezed like an orange and that light can be bent,” Silverberg says. “Relativity clouds are controllable domains – rips in time – that allow him months to deliver presents while only a few minutes pass on Earth. The presents are truly delivered in a wink of an eye.”
link to full article
This is a good counterpoint to the typical engineering analysis that kills the fun...
Don’t believe in Santa Claus?
If you’re skeptical of Santa’s abilities to deliver presents to millions of homes and children in just one night, North Carolina State University’s Dr. Larry Silverberg, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, can explain the plausible science and engineering principles that could allow the Jolly Old Elf to pull off the magical feat year after year.
With his cherubic smile and twinkling eyes, Santa may appear to be merely a jolly old soul but he and his North Pole elves have a lot going on under the funny-looking hats, Silverberg says. Their advanced knowledge of electromagnetic waves, the space/time continuum, nanotechnology, genetic engineering and computer science easily trumps the know-how of contemporary scientists.
Silverberg says that Santa has a personal pipeline to children’s thoughts – via a listening antenna that combines technologies currently used in cell phones and EKGs – which informs him that Mary in Miami hopes for a surfboard, while Michael from Minneapolis wants a snowboard. A sophisticated signal processing system filters the data, giving Santa clues on who wants what, where children live, and even who’s been bad or good. Later, all this information will be processed in an onboard sleigh guidance system, which will provide Santa with the most efficient delivery route.
Silverberg adds that letters to Santa via snail mail still get the job done, however.
Silverberg is not so naïve as to think that Santa and his reindeer can travel approximately 200 million square miles – making stops in some 80 million homes – in one night. Instead, he posits that Santa uses his knowledge of the space/time continuum to form what Silverberg calls “relativity clouds.”
“Based on his advanced knowledge of the theory of relativity, Santa recognizes that time can be stretched like a rubber band, that space can be squeezed like an orange and that light can be bent,” Silverberg says. “Relativity clouds are controllable domains – rips in time – that allow him months to deliver presents while only a few minutes pass on Earth. The presents are truly delivered in a wink of an eye.”
link to full article
Friday, December 08, 2006
Another Manifesto...
I really like this one...and you thought only architect's wrote manifestos...
Making the most of your time
You can’t manage time. You can only manage yourself. Successful people manage to get a lot more out of their time. Here are nine things that you can focus on next year to make the most out of your time.
link to the other nine points
Making the most of your time
You can’t manage time. You can only manage yourself. Successful people manage to get a lot more out of their time. Here are nine things that you can focus on next year to make the most out of your time.
link to the other nine points
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Robust Solutions…
Robust...
Main Entry: ro·bust
Pronunciation: rO-'b&st, 'rO-(")b&st
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin robustus oaken, strong, from robor-, robur oak, strength
a : having or exhibiting strength or vigorous health
b : having or showing vigor, strength, or firmness "a robust debate"
c : strongly formed or constructed : STURDY "a robust plastic"
d : capable of performing without failure under a wide range of conditions "robust software"
A high-quality engineering effort will result in …
a robust understanding of a robust description of a robust solution…
Main Entry: ro·bust
Pronunciation: rO-'b&st, 'rO-(")b&st
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin robustus oaken, strong, from robor-, robur oak, strength
a : having or exhibiting strength or vigorous health
b : having or showing vigor, strength, or firmness "a robust debate"
c : strongly formed or constructed : STURDY "a robust plastic"
d : capable of performing without failure under a wide range of conditions "robust software"
A high-quality engineering effort will result in …
a robust understanding of a robust description of a robust solution…
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Mavericks at work...
A good post by Guy Kawasaki...
Ten Questions with Polly LaBarre about her book "Mavericks at Work"
I mostly enjoy Guy's "Top Ten List" type posts, but he hasn't been doing many of those lately...
Ten Questions with Polly LaBarre about her book "Mavericks at Work"
The strategies, tactics, and advice in Mavericks at Work grew out of in-depth access to a collection of forward-looking companies. These maverick companies are attracting millions of customers, creating thousands of jobs, and generating billions of dollars of wealth. The book covers these topics:
- Forming strategies
- Unleashing ideas
- Connecting with customers
-
Enabling employees to achieve great results
I mostly enjoy Guy's "Top Ten List" type posts, but he hasn't been doing many of those lately...
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Parents weekend...
at PSU...
We had a great weekend visiting Jennifer up in State College, and had a lot of fun spending time with Jen.
My personal cool event of the weekend was a visit to the Breazeale Nuclear Reactor during their open house!!!
After signing in, a brief classroom presentation covered some general infromation and day to day issues regarding nuclear radiation. After that it was off to the reactor bay... I got to look down through the water at the working pile. It was glowing with a really diferent blue light. Very cool!!!
The students who were escorting us were very knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions the visitors had, even all my inane ones...
Especially cool was the fact that I got to bore the girls for the rest of the weekend with a variety of interesting facts about my visit...
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Planning and Doing…
For various reasons, I have been spending a lot of time on planning activities lately…
Plans are important…action without planning can produce random results…
But let’s not forget the “Doing” part…it’s just as important to put the same effort into execution as the planning…
It brings that quote to mind about a good plan executed with vigor is better than a perfect plan that never gets executed...Patton, I think...
Plans are important…action without planning can produce random results…
But let’s not forget the “Doing” part…it’s just as important to put the same effort into execution as the planning…
It brings that quote to mind about a good plan executed with vigor is better than a perfect plan that never gets executed...Patton, I think...
Monday, July 10, 2006
3 things I love about the shore...
Our “Geek Dinner” was originally scheduled as a backyard barbecue on the 4th of July…
And then we scheduled our vacation for the same week…oops…time for a change in plans…I guess the Stormhoek was coming along on vacation…
We vacationed at the Jersey shore when I was growing up…lots of great memories…
Now we take our kids to the shore and we do some of the same stuff that I remember doing as a kid…I hope to pass along some of the memories…among other things, like time at the beach, crabbing, and fishing, I have vivid memories of watching the sun set over the bay…
To this day, this is still one of my one of my favorite things to do down the shore…
That brings us to the label design idea…since the wine was coming along on vacation with us…
I had wanted to photograph the wine with the sun setting in the background…I was thinking it could make a great wine label…I wanted to provide an example of customers taking pictures of the wine doing their favorite thing…and having these pictures become label art for Stormhoek…
Unfortunately, it became a case of “good idea, questionable execution”…the porch wasn’t quite facing the right direction, and quite frankly, the sunsets weren’t that good that week…
But it was the 4th of July!!!...so the pictures became the fireworks instead of the sunset…again, great possibilities…I think maybe my photography skills leave something to be desired, but hey, we tried, we had some fun…and everyone will always remember the vacation I had that free wine from South Africa that no one had ever heard of before…
I hope you like the pictures…I don’t think they’re good enough to use for label art, but I’ll bet there are other people out there who could do better with the same concept…
Everyone submit their fave pictures…I’ll bet the Stormhoek crowd would enjoy them even if they don’t need a new label design… I’m looking forward to seeing some good pictures…
In my experience, projects have the best chance to succeed when they are a group effort…
P. S… we really enjoyed the Pinotage…and I hear it’s now available in South Jersey…
looking at the pinotage and the bay
just back from vacation...first day back to work, moving my office, project to catch up on...whewh!!!
we watched the fireworks on the 4th down the shore...I'll be posting some more about the event when I get the chance...enjoy the pictures...
the red and the white
watching the fireworks...
ooooohhhh....aaaahhhhh....
a good one...
another nice one...
the last picture...
And then we scheduled our vacation for the same week…oops…time for a change in plans…I guess the Stormhoek was coming along on vacation…
We vacationed at the Jersey shore when I was growing up…lots of great memories…
Now we take our kids to the shore and we do some of the same stuff that I remember doing as a kid…I hope to pass along some of the memories…among other things, like time at the beach, crabbing, and fishing, I have vivid memories of watching the sun set over the bay…
To this day, this is still one of my one of my favorite things to do down the shore…
That brings us to the label design idea…since the wine was coming along on vacation with us…
I had wanted to photograph the wine with the sun setting in the background…I was thinking it could make a great wine label…I wanted to provide an example of customers taking pictures of the wine doing their favorite thing…and having these pictures become label art for Stormhoek…
Unfortunately, it became a case of “good idea, questionable execution”…the porch wasn’t quite facing the right direction, and quite frankly, the sunsets weren’t that good that week…
But it was the 4th of July!!!...so the pictures became the fireworks instead of the sunset…again, great possibilities…I think maybe my photography skills leave something to be desired, but hey, we tried, we had some fun…and everyone will always remember the vacation I had that free wine from South Africa that no one had ever heard of before…
I hope you like the pictures…I don’t think they’re good enough to use for label art, but I’ll bet there are other people out there who could do better with the same concept…
Everyone submit their fave pictures…I’ll bet the Stormhoek crowd would enjoy them even if they don’t need a new label design… I’m looking forward to seeing some good pictures…
In my experience, projects have the best chance to succeed when they are a group effort…
P. S… we really enjoyed the Pinotage…and I hear it’s now available in South Jersey…
looking at the pinotage and the bay
just back from vacation...first day back to work, moving my office, project to catch up on...whewh!!!
we watched the fireworks on the 4th down the shore...I'll be posting some more about the event when I get the chance...enjoy the pictures...
the red and the white
watching the fireworks...
ooooohhhh....aaaahhhhh....
a good one...
another nice one...
the last picture...
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Lessons Implemented
another Bob Yerby story...
He started a project off with a meeting and an improvement topic came up...
"I don't want to hear about Lessons Learned..."
(Heresy!!!... Sacrilige!!!...the mobs were about to burn down the castle...)
"I only want to hear about Lessons Implemented..."
Take note of all the issues you want, but if you never change your behavior, whose kidding who? This was particularly interesting because of the shift in focus to actually making the required changes, not just talking about them, was a much bigger challenge...
He started a project off with a meeting and an improvement topic came up...
"I don't want to hear about Lessons Learned..."
(Heresy!!!... Sacrilige!!!...the mobs were about to burn down the castle...)
"I only want to hear about Lessons Implemented..."
Take note of all the issues you want, but if you never change your behavior, whose kidding who? This was particularly interesting because of the shift in focus to actually making the required changes, not just talking about them, was a much bigger challenge...
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
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