Interesting times that we are living in

14 06 2008

When I was a bit younger I truly regretted that cool things have already been done: all new lands discovered, all mountains hiked, great music created etc. I really wanted to live back “then”. Now I think differently. We are living in very interesting times. Now, we are discovering and exploring things related to the freedom of individuals, defining rules that will shape our lives for the decades to come. It’s like living great adventure movie.

Yesterday a new chapter of the story has been written – Ireland voted no to Lisbon treaty.

I really like this comment about the on CNN “It is an embarrassment too to the other 26 leaders across Europe who, for fear of a similar outcome, have refused to stage popular votes and left the ratification process to more easily managed parliamentarians.”

This is nice too: “Not only is the process of constitution-mongering a fractious, divisive and frankly boring exercise, it is one which alienates European citizens from the EU and all its works. They want their politicians to be tackling problems like immigration, energy security and employment, not tinkering endlessly with their institutions.”

I am also happy to find out that Czech president Vaclav Klaus has named the results as “victory of freedom.” In addition it looks like GB will have to have referendum even though political elites (cowards) oppose such a solution.

Thank you Ireland!


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Categories : Politics

Agile Ron Paul Supporter from Poland

13 06 2008

It was not very surprising that Ron Paul has not been elected as Republican candidate for the 2008 elections. Although I am not American I really wanted his ideas to become popular. I even tried to donate money for his campaign. Unfortunately, US law does not allow foreign citizens to donate money for the candidates – which is quite reasonable ;-) . Now things has changed. Ron Paul presidential campaign has officially ended and new campaign is just starting – Campaign for Liberty (sounds very cliche but I guess this is what might work in US). I could not resist the opportunity to contribute and I am now probably first Polish citizen that has given $50 (actually $100 via double submit ;-) ) to Ron Paul’s Campaign for Freedom fund. I am really proud of that!


Why? If you do not know who Ron Paul is you really need to catch up a bit ;-) .


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Categories : Politics

The time has come

1 06 2008

Finally, after a bit less than 4 years from the moment in which I graduated from the university I am getting a chance to go back to the subjects that were so interesting back then. I am now fully responsible for creating a software organization in the company that I am a co owner of.
During those past four years I did a couple of things that I believe me gave me some experiencethat will make my task easier. I worked as a consultant/developer at IBM/Red Hat distributor in Poland. During that time I was given an opportunity to work with a number of companies that deal with software engineering and delivery IT products and services to the customers.
My findings are rather usual:

  • it is not the actual need of the customer that drives the most of IT initiatives
  • most of the business people do not have a clue why given project is to take place
  • most of the spendings (especially in gov area) are a waste of money
  • no control over budget – simply the profit margins are so big that nobody really cares about the productivity, the costs of maintenance, number of defects, end user satisfaction
  • the only reason for some projects to start is because some “smart sales bonzo” persuaded some truly confused customer to implement the product of “this great company that will solve all the problems at once”
  • and a lot of similar things.

Maybe that will sound a bit naive but I really believe that we are now (at least in Poland) reaching the moment in which the business needs, end user satisfaction, quality of the solution will drive more and more sales of the software.
My goal is to have a team, or a number of teams, that will be able to deliver and maintain number of products that will win customers because of quality, simplicity of use, great support, fast delivery, fast improvements. I want those teams to be efficient, I want my people to be satisfied and I want to make money ;-) (the good thing is that I am not the sales guy in our organization ;-) ).

As Nonaka and Takeuchi recognized (or at least I remember it was them) , externalization of ideas helps to systematize thoughts. This is the reason for this blog to exists. I want to have a personal notebook that will help me to think through the experiences, new knowledge, possible obstacles, new directions in the written form.


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Categories : Creating Software Organization

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