News of the Day 10/18/2010

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Some helpful guides to Fraudclosure, a deeper look at IBM, and Apple goes back to the Mac. It's must-know geek news!

Career:
LinkedIn just added skills, publications, and patents to its profiling. They've certainly been doing a lot lately to add more to their service, and more power to them. Now . . . looks like I have to update my profile.

Economics/Geekonomics:
Tired of Fraudclosure news? Sorry, it's going to be a big deal so we'll keep you informed from a progeek viewpoint:

Film:
Disney moves Marvel films under Paramount to itself. No surprise here. Paramount still gets something out of the deal, but let's be honest – this was inevitable.

Media:
MUST READ: Where are you going to find digital innovation in news? Sports departments. Some thoughtful analysis that makes this a must read – it'll give you ideas of what does, and doesn't fit in the internet media age.

Social Media:
Two House members are asking Facebook for information regarding privacy. I'm sure the recent breaches aren't just part of it – "The Social Network" is as well. I don't know if this is meaningful or a pre-election stunt or what, but i tears watching.

Buddy Media raises $23 million. They provide a social media management system focused on Facebook. That's pretty neat – an they've got other offerings. Frankly this is the kind of thing needed in the complex world of social media, so more power to them, and they might be resume worthy.

Technology:
Hmmmm. IBM Stock drops on decline in service signing. Interesting – could these drops explain part of IBM's goals to . . . well basically buy anything technical in Massachusetts? Certainly looks like the goal is more acquisitions and more software sales, and with that amount of change, probably job opportunities – and a large company like IBM can crush competitors as well.

Sounds like Apple want's to return focus to the Mac for awhile. This sounds like a good strategy – Apple's computers have been doing quite well, but they have focused on other devices for awhile. Again, Apple seems to truly get their audience. They're also doing well financially – note the increase in Mac Sales.

Video:
Brightcove hires a new CFO. Ups suspicion that the online video platform company is going to go public. I'd also say that means they may need your resume (OK the fact they raised nearly $100 million also helps a lot).

Apple TV? It apparently sold a quarter million units. I definitely think the $99 price point is a huge part of it. Heck I'm tempted to buy one just to play with it.

Video Games:
OK, we've been a bit more hypocritical about avoiding rumors lately, but here's another good one: Bethesda may be working on an MMO. The theory here is that it's Elder Scrolls, a property with a long and beloved history. I can buy that, but would note that Fallout did incredibly well, so an MMO for that might be popular. Either way, big name company, hiring, MMO, and one with name/brand recognition. Resume worthy as well?

Some changes at RockYou. Sounds like an overall shift.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Which would be the more successful MMO, Fallout or Elder Scrolls.

– Steven Savage

Own Your Planning

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"I hate to plan"

I hear that a lot.  *I* say it sometime, and I'm a person who uses Project Management techniques to plan his hobbies.  (I use SCRUM, if you must know).

Here's the hard fact of your career – you have to plan.  People succeed with different levels of planning, but you need to be able to plan.

I think a lot of people hate planning as it's been forced on them.  They were told to plan in school, by parents, teachers, bosses, etc. who told them to plan without telling them why – or often how.  When something is forced on us, we really don't like it.

The solution I find is to get INTO planning.  Own it.  Make it your own.  Take it back from the realm of people harassing you to get organized who clearly don't know what you're doing.

Go and own planning.  Do it your way.

A few tips:

  • Set goals you really want and make plans to reach them.  This helps motivate you but also lets you appreciate good planning.
  • Find fun ways to do it.  I confess I love playing with spreadsheets, documents, etc. to find new ways to plan.  You may like drawing things out, using Microsoft Project, etc.  Find what works for you.
  • Read books on it.  Some life coaches and writers get seriously into the planning/organizing thing and they enjoy it.  Their enthusiasm can be infectious – and their advice is helpful.  I reccomend "Getting Things Done" most heartily.

Finally, if you're reading this you're a geek, you're a fan.  You've planned cosplays, conventions, trading card shows, RPGs, and more.  You've probably got the ability and experience, you just don't realize it.

Go and own planning.

– Steven Savage

What Makes a Crush Object For Steve?

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Here at fan to pro, we talk about our Crush Objects, what goes into the Resume-Worthy Roundup, etc.  But we don't explain our philosophy about it.

Well Bonnie and I don't exactly have a unified philosophy about it, but here are the things that makes me crush on a company – and make me think that you might want to send that company a resume.  Next time you see a News of The Day or a Resume-Worthy Roundup, here's what I'm thinking, in no particular order, and not that every company has to meet all these requirements:

  • Bright Idea or Right Idea.  I want a company with good ideas, either really innovative, really stable, or both.  If a company can innovate and have a stable, reliable idea then I'm bang alongside it.  Just remember sometimes a dull idea that works is better than an unsure brilliant idea – and a brilliant idea may be better than a dull, plodding approach.
  • Right location.  This isn't always important to me, but some locations seem more promising than others because of prominence, recruitig opportunities, and the fact investors do seem biased to some physical locations.  My biases tend towards Seattle, the Bay Area, Greater Boston, Toronto, Vancouver, New York, Baltimore-DC, and Chicago.  The megaregions, in short.
  • Money.  The company should be financially stable or have some great Venture Capital.
  • Venture Capital.  Steve's Rule is that if someone invests $10 million or more in a company, I pay attention.  It's sort of an intuitive thing with me.  $10 million is the magic number – though in some cases, less is OK if there are other good factors.
  • The right person.  You hire some CEO or innovator with a good record, and I'm going to pay attention.
  • Savvy.  I want to see smarts, an edge, something clever – or something so functionally dull I can't deny it works.  I also want to see that you've addressed concerns before others raise them.
  • Communication.  This is amorphous, but I like companies that can communicate their ideas and are open about what they do (though in the case of stealth startups I know that doesn't always happen).  Tell me and others why you're good, talk to us.
  • Demo.  If you can show me why you're good, even with a prototype, I pay attention.
  • Right Time.  Are you coming in at the right time, or planning for a time that's right in the future?  Then I pay attention.
  • Survival.  I admire companies that ride out bad times.
  • Personality.  This is amorphous, so I think it's obvious.  I do like a company with a human side and that is "itself."

So that's what gets companies to crush object status with me and/or gets them into the Resume Worthy Roundup.

Now, feel free to argue – or tell me your standards!

– Steven Savage