Scribbled notes listening in to Microsoft build event today -
Windows Phone 8.1 -
1 Microsoft announces Cortana on latest Windows Phone 8.1  build - which is similar to Siri/Google now :)
2 Microsoft announces Visual Studio update that allows developers to build apps - both consumer and enterprise across devices- PC's, Windows Phone,  Xbox One… (love this!) You can publish these apps in Windows Store, sell them  and make money :)  Customers can buy once and use an app anywhere (Windows and Windows Phone). This also extends to in-app purchases: if you buy something on your phone, you’ll get the same access on your PC.
3 Launch of Enterprise mobility suite (EMS) - that allows more security - encrypted emails, VPN and others
4 Push for Skype integration for video calls
5 Workflow keyboard - swipe keys … doesn’t this come from Samsung? :)
6 IE 11 update on Windows Phone - with in private browsing and reading mode
7 Bits should be available for developers … @ Microsoft
8 Roll out of Win Phone 8.1 coming to consumers in next few months (date not announced)
9 Windows free for sub-9" devices on phone…  is this strategy more for early adoption and Windows market share? How do they plan to monetize - by selling apps?

New features for Windows 8.1 update (and oh! Microsoft already planning Windows 9 next summer 2015) - 1 Brings Start menu back (is this considered a feature.. .?  You take it away and then bring it back :))
2 Windows feature - that allows Metro apps to appear as distinct windows in desktop mode
3 Release update - Win 8.1 update roll out available - starting Apr 8th
Interesting and encouraging moves, hopefully makes everyone's life better...

Cheers -DJ

 

Unified “one Microsoft” culture... for 100 years

Unified “one Microsoft” culture.... interview with Satya Nadella, the new chief executive of Microsoft, was conducted and condensed by NYTimes... http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/business/satya-nadella-chief-of-microsoft-on-his-new-role.html?ref=business&_r=0 

Gigastone SmartBox Now Available at U.S. Retailers Nationwide

Gigastone, a leading Taiwan-based technology innovator, announces the availability of the SmartBox at U.S. retailers nationwide. The patented SmartBox is three devices in one -- a wireless card reader, portable content streamer, and backup battery charger. With a free mobile app for Apple and Android, up to six users can wirelessly stream content to their tablet or smartphone, without an Internet connection.

Pricing & Availability:The Gigastone SmartBox is currently at Fry's, B&H, BestBuy.com and Amazon.com starting at $39.99. It includes a microSD adapter and USB cable for charging.

 

LaserLock announces updated version of VerifyMe for identity verification...

LaserLock announces updated version of VerifyMe for identity verification...

LaserLock provider of identity verification and product and brand authentication, company that authenticates products and people, today announced a new version of VerifyMe.

VerifyMe™ is a free app for iPhone, iPad and iPod that allows users to store their passwords locally and access password protected websites with a unique identifier based on a swipe pattern and color choice chosen by the user. VerifyMe™ is available for free on iPhone, iPad and iPod now in the Apple Store at http://applestore.com/verifymesso.

-D

Seed funding... Microsoft Ventures

Found this interesting and thought to share - If you are looking to buy a house, this is the wrong place :) but if you are intending to fund your startup probably Microsoft ventures program that was launched recently would be of interest.

"Microsoft Ventures is a strategic partner for promising startups around the world focused on business growth & customer development, industrial strength technology and beautiful usable products. We’re especially keen to partner with proven young B2B startups looking to leverage our global routes to market. "

Buzz Table, Buddy and KitchenBug are few of the initiatives funded...

More here... https://www.microsoftventures.com/

Cheers- D

Best known Supply Chain Network Optimization Simulation tools...

Model, Optimize and Simulate Your Supply Chain using some of the best known Simulation tools -

Llamasoft -
Network optimization can identify major improvements in cost, service, sustainability, and risk – often leading to total supply chain savings of 10 percent or more. The LLamasoft Supply Chain Guru and Transportation Guru applications provide the most complete and easy-to-use network optimization functionality in the market, including:

• End-to-end model from tiers of suppliers to the customer
• Detailed modeling of complex production processes, BOMs, multi-time period capacities, etc.
• Comprehensive constraint modeling to accurately represent true behavior of your corporate supply chain
• Flexible costing model to better represent unique supply chain characteristics
• Easy-to-use scenario generation for detailed sensitivity analysis or multi-objective optimization
• Rich visualization and reporting including interactive flow diagrams, transportation routing, and much more
• Fastest solve times on the largest models

http://www.llamasoft.com/supply-chain-network-optimization-software.html

FlexSim - http://www.flexsim.com/supply-chain-simulation/

Arena - How to simulate Manufacturing Supply chain using Arena by Rockwell automation tool videos - http://www.arenasimulation.com/Tools_Resources_Video_Library.aspx
 

Does bringing ex-CEO help firms transform?

Does bringing ex-CEO help firms transform?

There's some news/rumors floating around these days that Bill Gates would take the helm back from Steve Ballmer at Microsoft. Personally, I don't believe this would happen as Bill is very much involved in philanthropy work with "Melinda and Gates" foundation and believe he has crossed that desire to run a profit organization. Sure, he still loves Microsoft and is chairman of the board. However, his vision and thought process to help poorest of the people come to next level by helping them in areas of basic necessities is remarkable and applaud able. Initiatives around having a "polio free" world, working with Pharma companies and investing heavily in creating medicines to eradicate malaria, TB and others is more important than selling Windows :) Sure, Google and other companies are also contributing to the world in such areas... but for someone like Bill this is full time job~! :)

However, these rumors of having Bill rejoin as CEO started me thinking that do companies really outperform/transform themselves by having prior leaders join back?

JC Penny would bring back ex CEO Ullman back and ousts someone who was trying to transform the company - Ron Johnson! Without Ron having enough time/opportunity and lacking full support for transformation, Ron was left lonely... fair?
Results: We haven't seen outstanding results yet...but time will tell..

Infosys gets ex CEO Narayan Murthy back, good move but is it a great choice? Sure, he was the co-founder and CEO who deeply believed in the company and it's success. But what does his return indicate? Lack of next generation entrepreneurs in the company or just boredom.
Results: We haven't seen outstanding results yet (this quarter was helped with Rupee dropping significantly)...but time will tell..

Apple - had a slightly different story by having Steve Jobs come back but that was with an intent to buy his company Pixar back. Also, point to be noted is that Mac is still struggling to have its market share against PC. They have been successful in few of their recent products (iphone, ipad and others) because of weak competition and being the first adopters to consumer market. Ofcourse, Steve had stewardship qualities that helped Apple transform but lets not forget the distinguished engineers who toiled hard to get finest products out.

Recently, with P&G's former CEO A.G. Lafley's return puts the iconic company's reputation at stake as well. All will rest on whether he can turn around P&G quickly....

I think returning the reins to a former CEO signals of desperation and failed succession planning. Hiring a CEO is a very key decision and I am sure lot goes into the thinking left to the best of the lot! :)

Cheers - DJ
 

Point of View on Microsoft Surface launch...

Microsoft released RT and then released PRO last holidays, many people don't know this and many people didn't follow the difference,

1. Microsoft RT is based on ARM, really meant as cheaper option for mass consumers. - $399?
2. Microsoft PRO is based on Intel i5 processor, really meant for more productive work and targeting enterprises. - $899?

Do you think this is a good move for customers?
a) Actually, it confuses consumer more especially end users... who are not IT skilled.
b) After releasing RT, MSFT decide to release another product - Surface PRO. They actually killed their own product - RT which is "self destruction"...why would someone buy RT?

Interestingly, Microsoft now is launching Surface on Oct 22 2013 - newer version of Surface and decide to call them as - Surface 2 (without an RT) - does that add to confusion further?

My PoV is = Microsoft go forward should only have 1 high end product - Surface, that's it! Both consumers and enterprise customers need one product who can do all that tablets can do with Office installed so that it can be productive fun. Kill RT and reduce price of PRO and move ahead.... this will enable to have the decent market share for Microsoft in this space. Personally, I believe they have the potential but the road ahead has few bumps!

Cheers-  DJ
 

My first interaction with the China team...

My first interaction with the China team...


This was a brief 30 minute leadership listen only call and hence not really active but I am very interested in being active participant moving forward esp. with the DEV team in China.
Time difference really works for me from US pacific timezone, Good live meeting and network connectivity on-premise and no issues communicating. Wish me good luck so that I can be successful in delivery and management. :)

Here are few learnings that I learned from my past offshore experience -
1 Connect the team more (if possible daily standup).
2 Good project management and understanding of all activities/tasks assigned to the offshore team.
3 Having said, that Offshore team being remote and distant away, would do wonders if you give them a bigger picture. Believe me, that would make the team  feel part of the bigger pool and give them a sense of ownership.
4 You may have to give away some of your time and be flexible/agile to work with a different timezone with the Offshore team.
5 You must know the powermap - Supervisors and managers who own/control the team. Trust me, they treat feedback from client/onshore team very seriously and take corrective action.
6 Understand their culture and be empathic while on call/conferences and change your behavior instead of asking them.
7 Typical work that can be executed successfully
8 If none of this work, then please pull out at the right time than later in the game and avoid heart burns :)

Cheers - Dipesh

How to start your own small business? How to venture into any new space? Are you afraid of competing against large corporations?

How to start your own small business? How to venture into any new space? Are you afraid of competing against large corporations? OR Are you just double minded on whether you should or you should not?

 There is NO straight answer to this, but I have made an attempt to list some of the basics that I think from my experience are MUST HAVE’S for a leader/entrepreneur by design. Don’t consider them as magic steps that would allow you venture into a new business OR make you a successful entrepreneur, CEO OR for that matter even a business lead in your company. But, my 2 cents draft with some of my thoughts that I think every person should have to enable him/her to take that first bold step to venture into any new space OR a startup company. (will keep it simple) –


4 key fundamentals one would need to be successful venturing into new space as a Startup company OR working at the next level –

CPLB (Courage, Passion, LOTS of patience and most importantly Belief in YOU.)


• Courage – To go against the odds, To take balanced risks, to get out from your comfort level,
• Passion – You need to have the killer instinct passion, desire to prove a point (in a good sense),

• Patience – you may fail, but don’t give up…. Keep on trying and you will get there,

• Belief – Strong belief in you, don’t lose heart with small failures, don’t give it up….keep trying!


In addition, you also need Xtreme dedication/focus, commitment towards work.


• Xtreme dedication/focus – Should have razor sharp focus and clear vision to what you want to achieve. Be very clear headed. Will need lot of sacrifice of your personal time – family will need to stand by/support you for each decision/action you take. Won’t be easy but you will have to practice that during early stages of growth for sure.

• Commitment – Work hard, Work hard, Work hard! There are no shortcuts and don’t play games! Be real, be honest and be true to yourself.


I think few important key points that one should embrace are –


• Need to have VERY STRONG in ideas/thought process. If your product is NOT a value add, then it won’t help you sail :)

• TIME is an important asset for you, utilize it wisely.

• You don’t need to attract lot of money, build upon an IDEA and sell it. Investors will get attracted to an idea anytime.

• Create a blue ocean strategy and compete in the red ocean as well – to grow it’s OK to keep your margins low. Once you are at level 2 – you can think of revising your strategy.


At the end, most importantly - Have FUN in doing what you do!


Here are few DON’TS:


• Don’t treat your venture/new experience as pure competition.

• Don’t get stressed out – set some time aside to celebrate/pat on your back and the team that worked hard for you. The way large corporations term – WORK LIFE BALANCE :)

• Don’t be afraid of FAILURES, but learn from it. (recent entrepreneur/leader example –X CEO for Apple: Steve Jobs)

• Don’t get absorbed in mundane/routine tasks/activities; Outsource them if possible to someone who loves doing it and you take on the value adds. Free up your time to move on.
• Don’t stop learning, Invest time in learning, growth for you and the team.

Will try and focus on how to compete head-on with large corporations and create your own mark/brand in Part 2. 

Pardon my scribbling’s if any....