Password Security

There was a great article in the WSJ last week regarding password security on the internet. I clipped it, brought it to the office and threw it away :(
I meant to use it to illuminate and inform and instead I couldn't find my coffee cup and got distracted. I think I can hit the high-points though. I'll try.

IMPORTANT: use strong passwords.
Coming up with these is easier than you think. They suggested thinking of a song and using the initials of the title in camel case. Ex. "I Dream of Jeanie" would be "IdOj". Then, add your zip code to make it "IdOj02145". You can change song title to favorite saying and add a bible ref number like "6:14". EZ!

Another suggestion was to have one password for all applications in a specific category. So, categorize for "buying stuff", "family", "web storage" etc. That way you'll have the same password for each site in a specific category. I like this idea, however, I use a password safe (free online) and have a different password for each site. But this idea seems manageable.

Finally, the author said to create throw-away passwords for one time access - like you have to create an account to respond to a blog post that interests you.

So, I think I summed it up. What do you think?

Brian
Atomic Tower - We Power the Cloud!

Is Linkedin Relevant?

In the cold hard light of day in the month of June, 2012, how relevant does Linkedin continue to be?

Back in the day, it seemed the most important career move one could make on-line. The idea of putting my resume on the web and networking with acquaintances/coworkers was exciting. I could share my accomplishments, thoughts, book recommendations etc. But does it hold up today?

I try to keep up on the site and have a fair amount of connections. But what is the value? Is the value that folks can view my profile and see that there I'm connected? Well, that is important, but how important?

Last week Facebook released data that showed active users were dropping off. So if FB is starting to become stale, what about the "premier" business social network?

What I have seen is very few connections that actually "work" the site. More often what I see is dead air until someone is in need (career-wise) and then furious activity: updated pics, book recommendations, friend requests.

I caught myself lecturing a couple of colleagues yesterday that they needed to get cracking on Linkedin,  but is this good advice any longer? I'm thinking this one through. Any thoughts would be appreciated in the comments section.

Cheers,

Brian
http://atomictower.com  -  web reporting engine

Leadership

This is a fantastic book. I don't know if it'll save lives, but it can certainly save a few careers. My recommendation is to get this  book. It was suggested for me and straight away I found it useful - especially at a startup.

Startups are a challenging and demanding environment for all involved: execs, managers, individual contributors, everyone. Not only is it critical to find the right team members that thrive in this fast pace, but keeping them motivated with ever changing priorities is your task.

Keeping the dev team motivated isn't all that is important. As managers take on more responsibility in the shaping of the new company's direction and emerging culture, it is important to keep the senior management team motivated too. Keeping them feeling comfortable is the way to ensure your continued increasing role.

To do this, as Heifetz says, we must keep the values and vision that started the venture in constant sight. In real ways demonstrate that you know what is important and are on course. "Answer the 'why' question and you'll increase people's willingness to endure the hardships that come with the journey to a better place."

Being Concise

I recently spoke about how the application for Mass Challenge required that I answer around 20 questions in a very limited amount of characters. It got me thinking about how the message is delivered. We talked about the need to get your ideas across - hopefully without jargon. Lesson: it is imperative to make everything very clear in as few words as possible. Everyone should be able to understand.

So moving on from our abbreviated answers, I posted a rocket pitch video – pithy and just over 1 minute. Keeping in mind that the goal is to pitch in the time of a standard elevator ride. Again, if you're lucky enough to be in an elevator with someone who can help your company out, let 'em have it, and get it right.

After that, if you're asked to give more, have some slides ready. 10 minutes tops. We'll talk about good presentation form next time.

Cheers,

Brian

http://atomictower.com - web reporting engine

Mass Challenge

So I got some advice recently to enter my company, Atomic Tower, in the Mass Challenge.  MC is a competition for startups and the prize is mentoring, office space and capital!

We entered. There was of course an application with about 20 questions that describe the company, problem, solution, competitors, market etc. Big catch, the answers could be either 250 or 500 CHARS! This is common. It reminds me that when you have a business you had better be able to explain it plainly in very few words. And if you're looking for funding, you had better be able to make the reader go "Wow! What an amazing opportunity!"

I think the old-time term would be "Pithy".

Best of luck,
Brian

p.s. If you want to vote for us, go to http://masschallenge.org and register as an observer.

Set the Stage

I'm in a lot of meetings a day. The best thing for my quality of life so far has been the wireless headset that I have. After all that coffee, I can pace around and work some of that energy off. But sometimes my pacing has a tinge of frustration as its root. "Whats this meeting about?"

I get invited to many meetings and I suspect that sometimes it is out of protocol. So bring me up to speed. I try to do that when I know someone is in my meeting that hasn't been involved in the topic being discussed. It really is simple. Take 30 - 45 seconds at the beginning of the meeting to lay out the goals for the a lotted time. This will then allow all participants to understand why they are they, how they can contribute and perhaps be more willing to take on action items.

Do you think it is possible people don't explain the goals of the meeting up-front because they don't have any goals for the meeting? If this is the case, give everyone their hour back. I've posted before on running efficient meetings and I think this is a good follow up.

Why are we here?

Good luck,
Brian
http://atomictower.com - Web Reporting Engine

Moving Energy

On the first day of my time at Babson college, my classmates and I were lectured to by the cohort ahead of us. They were psyching us up and giving us pointers on the road that lay ahead. One speaker owned a gym and was looking to buy into a franchise. I sat rolling my eyes as he said how important it would be to continue our exercise as we worked through the next two years. I wasn't buying any of it. How could I possibly find time for exercise as I commuted on the train to Boston, worked a full day and then squeezed classwork and family time into the remainder of the day. He was seriously a slacker taking time for exercise.

Now it is more than a year after the program. I have been working on starting my own company http://atomictower.com and I don't have any more time in the day than I did when I was commuting and at school. But I am beginning to understand what he meant. Entrepreneurship is exciting, stimulating and fun. It is the most ambitious endeavor that I have undertaken in my career. I am building something to be proud of that will benefit many. But how can anyone enjoy this if their body is breaking down?

Health is number 1. As the leader in your company it is imperative to stay healthy (you owe it to your partners). We need to project confidence to our clients and our investors. Looking and feeling fit tells people that you have everything under control and that they can trust you to manage your company as you manage your health.

I advocate taking the same approach to your health as we shoe-string innovators do to setting up our companies. Look to what is most important and provide for it as cost-efficiently as possible. No need to run into an expensive gym membership or an unrealistic schedule. My philosophy is that a healthy heart and lungs are the most important. So aerobic exercise is my choice. I like the fun of bike riding, so I bought a used bike for $30. I LOVE it! Not much for looking at, but I can get as good exercise on this as I can on a $1,000 bike. 

The last part is to commit to 20 minutes most days. Plan it like you would a meeting. I would never dream of not making a meeting, so get on the bike too. Since it is at home, all of the logistics that go into my excuses for NOT going to the gym are gone.

It is important, I recommend it, good luck.

Brian

http://atomictower.com – web reporting engine