Comments for Indicee

Comment on Accounting for I.T. in the Finance Department by Geoff Devereux

Geoff Devereux — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:38:29 +0000

Thanks for the comment Dave!

And just for clarification for those of us who don’t know what the Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle is, here’s a quote from a 2002 Slate article that talks about it:

“It does say that some pairs of properties are linked in such a way that they cannot both be measured precisely at the same time. In physics, these pairs are called “canonically conjugate variables.” One such pair is position and momentum: The more precisely you locate the position of a particle, the less you know about its momentum (and vice versa). Another is time and energy: The more precisely you know the time span in which something occurred, the less you know about the energy involved (and vice versa).”

I think Dave’s right. In accounting & finance, the systems we use have kind of imposed a bit of an Heisenbergian environment on us. Coming up with reasonable solutions is a careful game.

Great comment Dave, thanks again!

Let’s keep the ball rolling! Let’s hear your thoughts!

Comment on Accounting for I.T. in the Finance Department by Dave Macdonald

Dave Macdonald — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:17:55 +0000

I think you’ve touched on one of the biggest disconnects that tends to happen in almost every business where there’s a formal or implied financial measurement system and operational measurements as well.

When they’re clearly differentiated you end up with something like a Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle of Business – you can measure one to whatever level of detail you want, but when you want to know something about both Finance and Operations, including elements of their relationship, you will need to be creative, often use multiple tools and then some good judgement.

Comment on Software Implementation by the Book by Geoff Devereux

Geoff Devereux — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:50:57 +0000

Thanks for the comment! It’s rough getting confronted with that type of view. What do you do?

Comment on Software Implementation by the Book by Katherine Bourget

Katherine Bourget — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:47:17 +0000

Very interesting and timely post. I have just completed the MS2 course work for CGA. As part of the curriculum we needed to participate in “online” discussions. One of the discussion questions was about internet commerce and incumbent businesses versus internet only businesses. I actually had a response to my comments about Google and their impact that indicated that Google was not a “real” business. When I pointed out their revenues and listing on the Nasdaq the comeback was that they don’t sell “anything”. I guess advertising is not a “thing”. It is not just the academics who are having a hard time grasping the importance of technology for businesses.

Comment on Olympic Spirit in the Workplace by Geoff Devereux

Geoff Devereux — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:38:48 +0000

You said it! I was expecting some distractions during The Games, but not to this extent. Thanks for the comment (and empathy!).

Comment on Olympic Spirit in the Workplace by Sara Pereira

Sara Pereira — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:56:45 +0000

Great post…we are right there with you on the Olympic spirit that is floating around! Sun shining + gold medals + bustling city = our entire team buzzing.

Comment on Vancouver Welcomes the World to the 2010 Olympics by Mark Cunningham

Mark Cunningham — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:05:34 +0000

Hi Sophie,

Thanks for sharing your “Olympic moment!” I agree it is a good one. One of my new favourite moments was the group of 10 guys that showed up on Robson Street over the weekend with two hockey nets, hockey sticks and a ball to put on a ball hockey game in front of thousands of street fans. Classic Canadian moment.

Oh and if you are interested here is a picture and a video of the Olympic flame from our Indicee office

http://markcunningham.posterous.com/olympic-flame-from-the-indicee-offices-who-ne

Enjoy the rest of the games!

Mark

Comment on Vancouver Welcomes the World to the 2010 Olympics by Sophie

Sophie — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:46:25 +0000

Mark,
Thanks for the post.
We moved in Vancouver with my family more than a year ago (from France) and this is such a wonderful experience to be here and even more during the Olympics, I love it !
My favoUrite moment (so far…) was last Friday morning, (I know it is not really an Olympic moment as it is before the opening ceremony, but let’s say it is….)
I had the chance to attend a very special “field trip” with my daughter’s class (grade 5). This field trip was to celebrate the arrival of the Olympic Flame to the Canada Pavilion, Flame to be passed to the next bearer and an opportunity to meet Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada. Only 2 classes of the Greater Vancouver area attended this special event, and I had the chance to be part of the random selection of the 5 parents to join them. (Isn’t that luck ?)
I even had the chance to talk to the Prime Minister, while taking a picture of him with my daughter, it was an Olympic moment !

After Stephen Harper, I hope I will have the chance to meet you soon Mark.
Looking forward to it.

Sophie

Comment on The Importance of Stories by Geoff Devereux

Geoff Devereux — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:31:54 +0000

Yeah, I think storytelling is making a comeback. It can be the shortest distance between two points with the torrent of info we’re contending with these days. Thanks for the comment!

Comment on The Importance of Stories by Jim Harris

Jim Harris — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:19:25 +0000

Great post Geoff,

I must have missed it back in late December because of the hectic schedule of the holiday season.

I am a big fan of storytelling in general, but as a blogger with a topic that most find mind-numbingly boring (data quality), I can certainly relate to the advice from Ira Glass.

Every topic has the potential to become an interesting story.

And I certainly agree with Akerlof and Shiller about the human mind being built to think in terms of narrative.

After all, a life well-lived is basically a story well-told.

Best Regards,

Jim