Hey gang -

Today I wrap up in San Francisco. It's been a long seven months, but my project went live and I now head to a new one in Cincinnati (after a vacation to Mexico).

This project was highly successful and basically a non-event - no major issues.

I always take something out of each project. This client was highly political, constantly changing and very difficult to work with in general. However, in spite of themselves, they went live last month. I always get amazed on how much you learn with each political situation. I'm taking with me new ways of dealing with politics.

Well, it's on to my next project, slated for Cincinnati. One major positive - no airports!

Good Morning all from very cold central Ohio.

I'm always amazed at the people I've met on airlines... from drunks to corporate CEO's to football coaches (yes Jim Tressel was one of them) to entrepeneurs. I've learned a lot from meeting various people. It's a great networking forum.

This past weekend, I met the owner of www.pimpmynews.com. I checked out the service this weekend and it is really cool. The concept is to provide digital readings of RSS feeds that is set up as a podcast for your iPod, iPhone, etc.

It's a completely personalized podcast with feeds from all of the news services, talk, etc.

The website and concept were picked as one of the best at MacWorld last week in San Francisco.

Check it out - really cool stuff!

Have a great week all.

Good Morning All from San Francisco.

This has been an interesting 30-days at my project. We have gone live (finally !!!) with our new payroll system, successfully integrated it with our Human Resources system and are about to send our first direct deposit file tomorrow morning.

However, it's amazing on how much internal politics got in the way of this. We have an HR department here that basically states "it's not our problem". Keep in mind this is an integrated system. After many hours of conversation yesterday, we educated them that they own HR data, compensation rates and employee structures. When changes need to happen, they need to react. In fact, it is their problem to fix. If they were not able to fix it, payroll would be delayed - and that is never a good thing.

It never ceases to amaze me on how much corporate politics and silos simply gets in the way of productivity. The "it's not my responsibility" syndorme, simply put, needs to be driven out of business. People need to take ownership and responsibility of their processes and be able to share those processes and integrate effectively across organizational structures. Failure to do so, in effect, shoots yourself in the foot.

OH well, just another day in corporate America.

Have a great day - and only 30 days left on this project!!!!

Good Morning all from cold Central Ohio.

This is just a quick note to wish everyone on Zoodango and happy and safe New Years.

In addition, please remember our men and women serving our country. I received the following earlier today from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

"'Operation New Year's Eve' is a campaign that lets Americans send text messages of support to our troops via the tallest billboard in Times Square. Almost one million people will be in Times Square to see the sign, and people worldwide can view the sign by visiting www.operationnewyearseve.org. Visibility is limited during the day, but there will be a clear shot of the billboard all night long.

You can send your own message by sending a text to 94444. Just add the word 'CARE' before your message (for example: "CARE Thank you for everything you do!"). The word 'CARE' will not appear on the sign.

Standard rates apply, and posting a message to the billboard costs $0.99. Due to high volume, there may be a delay, and your message may not appear
immediately."

A portion of the $0.99 fee will be donated to IAVA.

Thank You.

Jeff Hill