Monthly Archives: December 2014

Goals are More than Just Resolutions

Posted on December 28, 2014 by John F. Dini

Most of us (at least those who don’t own retail businesses) are in low-power mode at this time of year. Double midweek days off and decompression following the holiday rush allows us time to think. For many, that thinking naturally turns … Continue reading →

Posted in Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

2 Responses to Goals are More than Just Resolutions

  1. Frank Benzoni P.E. Retired says:
    December 28, 2014 at 3:58 pm

    Once again a great adaptation of what to do and why – Excellent writing John !!

    Frank

    Merry Christmas and a Happy 2015

    Reply
  2. Claud Gilmer says:
    January 2, 2015 at 9:44 am

    Hi John!
    Good info & timely reminder!
    Here’s to a successful 2015!
    Thanks, Claud

    Reply

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What a Customer Needs May Not Be What He Wants

Posted on December 21, 2014 by John F. Dini

The owner of an IT services company recently presented his new reporting system to his peer board. They had provided substantial input as to what they, as customers, would want to see from their technology provider. Per their advice, he provided … Continue reading →

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Is Uber Really Disruptive Technology?

Posted on December 14, 2014 by John F. Dini

I attended a technology awards event a few nights ago. The speaker extolled technology as the engine of change and economic development, while attendees posted pictures of each other for the Pinterest feed on the screens to either side of … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts and Opinions | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

2 Responses to Is Uber Really Disruptive Technology?

  1. David Basri says:
    December 15, 2014 at 7:28 am

    I am generally in agreement with Awake at 2 O’clock articles, but respectfully disagree with this one. What Uber has done is clearly disruptive to the traditional taxi industry. Previously the only phone number that would connect someone who wants a ride with someone who could provide one, was to a taxi company. Taxi company are a silo or vertical business model. Uber, and the other ride-share companies, have made it much more horizontal. The barrier to becoming part of a ride-share fleet is very low.

    John correctly identifies that as a serious issue that will need to be dealt with. The barrier is very low and government is largely out of the dynamic (which is both good news and bad news). Of course one could argue that it is a classic case of a consumer accepting increased risk in return for decreased cost. The industry will have to evolve to deal with the issues, but it has pretty clearly been a disruptive shift in a long’standing business model.

    Reply
    • John F. Dini says:
      December 15, 2014 at 7:41 am

      Thanks David, but I still don’t see how Uber inherently does more than a taxi company (match people wanting a ride with affiliated drivers who are willing to do so for pay.) Some folks read my article as an argument against Uber. Not at all. I’ve used the service, will again, and think it is terrific. The artificial market constraints of medallions that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in return for a middle-class wage should be removed. Uber is shaking up the industry, and I applaud them. Like you, I worry about the impact of claiming a right to work outside the public safety system. Working outside other regulations that exists merely to stifle competition? Go for it!

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Holiday Terminations: It’s Not “Just Business.”

Posted on December 7, 2014 by John F. Dini

Yesterday, I received a comment from a woman on my column from 2012, “Holiday Terminations: Scrooge or Chicken?”. She had been unexpectedly terminated from her position, and said in part “Employee termination during the holidays is an act of spiritual … Continue reading →

Posted in Management | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

One Response to Holiday Terminations: It’s Not “Just Business.”

  1. Curtis Price says:
    December 9, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    If the termination was a documented performance termination, the Holiday can be looked upon as a bad time, but then when is a good time, there is holidays in January, February. What this means is there is no good time for the employee. What if the termination was for thief, sexual harassment, do you wait until after the holidays.

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