Information Technology in the 13th Century
Posted by scottvandam in Technology on April 28, 2010
Often when we think of the history of Information Technology we consider the Gutenberg Printing Press. It was in fact the first time that content could be reproduced at a rapid pace.
13rh Century Clock - Photo care of RockN on Flickr
But what about Clocks? As both a lover of history and technology I found myself pondering if the invention of the clock in 13th Century Europe is an example of an early Information Technology development. The clock has allowed us to use information and accurately record and monitor what we do.
Here is a brief list of other benefits of the clock:
- Accurately tell time and depend less on the sun and moon
- Provide the possibility to order our day
- Measure the cost of labor more effectively
- Track the number of hours that go into a specific project
The clock gave us information that allowed us to make time a measurable value and it altered history forever.
What other older taken for granted Information technologies can you think of?
Silicon Halton Interview
Posted by scottvandam in Technology on March 25, 2010
I was interviewed by Silicon Halton recently talking about why Waggware does business in Burlington, Ontario and why it is important to get involved with your local community business groups.
For the full post click here
Abstract Statements
Posted by scottvandam in Marketing on March 9, 2010
Abstract statements are simple statements that communicate the core values and mission of a business. Here are some of my favorites:
UPS – “Enabling Global Commerce”
South West Airlines “The Low cost Airline”
All State “Your in Good Hands with All State”
Avis “We Try Harder”
Well designed abstract statements help managers & employees drive decisions and align efforts toward a common goal. Simple abstract statements are effective. Effective abstract statements turn into concrete statements that lead to successful sales campaigns, happy customers and consistent service delivery.
Concrete Is the Opposite of Abstract
Posted by scottvandam in Musings on March 8, 2010
I’ve been reading “Made to Stick” by Chip & Dan Heath and I’m considering the idea of concreteness.
Concreteness is the opposite of abstract. An abstract statement sounds something like my personal computer has high performance on the other hand a concrete statement sounds more like my personal computer has a 2.13 GHz processor. Being abstract is important if you are the commander of an Army and you require military dominance in a given region. However it’s the commanders on the ground that tranlslate that abstract statement and make it concrete (actionable) “Prepare a shipment of munitions, position troops at the border, and send in the fighter jets”. The troops need instructions to win the battle and the commanders need abstraction to win the war.
What’s more important abstraction or being concrete to winning? In what context do you use a concrete or abstract statement? I’ll share my thoughts over the course of the next few days.
Me: Simple & Concrete
Posted by scottvandam in Marketing on March 6, 2010
My attendance at the Art of Marketing Conference in Toronto this week and reading Chip & Dan Heath’s “Made To Stick” book has inspired me to update my about page here on my blog. It is my effort to make my messaging more simple and concrete.
Augmented Reality
Posted by scottvandam in Technology on January 16, 2010
Nan Palmero over at http://www.nanpalmero.com reminded me how much the world is changing with the power of technology. Perhaps you are touring around Toronto and want more information on the CN Tower. Take a picture of it and let wikitude download data from Wikipedia and learn the date it was built, why it was built and how it was built.
Did you just attend an interesting lecture and want more information on the speaker? Take a picture of him/her and use face.com to learn more about him/her from his social networks.
Be blown away and check out Nan’s post over here. Join the conversation on his blog on whether this technology is fun or will push the end to our sense of privacy?
Reflect On The Past & Looking Forward To The Future
Posted by scottvandam in Musings on January 3, 2010
Tomorrow marks a return to a normal routine of work, taking kids to school and the various community projects I’m involved with. Despite the holidays being very busy I managed to take a few moments to quietly read, reflect and journal about the past year and look ahead to the new year. I’m sharing a few posts that I found inspiring and practical to apply in my personal, professional and spiritual life.
- Seven Questions to Ask About Last Year (Via Michael Hyatt)
- How to make New Year’s Resolutions Stick (hint it has to to with SMART) (via Michael Hyatt)
- What the 86 Year Old Pastor Said (via Marc Driscoll)
- Organizing a Day of Silence and Solitude (via Marc Driscoll)
- Welcome to the Frustration Decade (via Seth Godin)
The Old Man River Project
Posted by scottvandam in Musings on December 17, 2009
I’ve been following the Old Man River Project since I was given a tour of their tiny boat on the shores of lake Ontario in Burlington this summer. A team of Burlington adventurers traveled from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico on the Mississippi River a 2,400 mile journey with out burning a tank of Gas.
I was delighted to see that they arrived at their destination last week and it was amazing to follow along reading their blog posts as they made down the journey down the Mississippi river that is at the heart of rich stories and history.
Here is their blog post on taking a plunge in the Gulf Of Mexico last week.
Remembering D-Day
Posted by scottvandam in Musings on November 11, 2009
Take a moment to remember those that lost their lives so we could be free.
Oracle Open World Photos
Posted by scottvandam in Musings, Technology on October 19, 2009
I have been neglecting my poor blog lately because I’ve been adapting to a newborn in the house, hard at work building a technology business and traveling across the country meeting with clients, customers and partners. My travels took me to the impressive Oracle Open World event in San Francisco and then to the desert heat of Las Vegas to attend an Energy Marketers meeting. After all of that it’s good to be back in the Greater Toronto Area where the air is a little cooler and the fall colors are at it’s peak.
It’s back to the regular grind for me!
Here are a few shots of the Oracle Open World event taken with my Blackberry (it’s not the best camera, but you get the idea)
Twitter: scottvandam
- Interesting analysis on who Oracle will buy next. Who do you think the giant will buy next? http://ow.ly/2zvKJ
- Back in the County taking in the final days of Summer before the rigid routines of post summer return - its gonna be a hot one today
- 1 size does not fit all RT @bitnetonline: Just because everyone's "going social" doesn't mean u & your business have to? http://ow.ly/2z1oY
- Devote at least 4 minutes in the AM with your spouse (simple but good idea) ---> http://ow.ly/2z1dD
- These are beautiful moments http://tweetphoto.com/42899309
