Recently my daughter and I were out shopping. Note: this is not an abnormal occurrence. On this occasion, though, we were situated in a large dressing rom with its own raised mirror area. My daughter, ever curious, asked what it was: a platform, I ventured. She immediately took her shoes off and started dancing while oogling herself twirling in the mirrors.
“Well, Mommy,” she said, “A platform makes a great stage!”
While I agreed wholeheartedly at her connection, it wasn’t until I attended a recent symposium on digital literacy that her observation became an amazing business parallel.
The session was on leveraging technology within the workplace. The panelists, all with amazing insights, commented on how technology is an enabler—or, a distraction. The moment of clarity came when Rosalind Hudnell, CDO and global director of education and external relations, Intel, said that technology is platform—and a company’s culture will determine how successful that platform will be in driving innovation and improvement.
At that moment, I didn’t visualize a complex system of IT and software applications. I didn’t think of Skype or Google Mail or a cross-departmental ERP effort. Rather, I saw a technology platform as my daughter would: a stage full of opportunities.
We take for granted that technology makes life easier, work more productive, and everything as cost-effective as possible. But, do you see it as your company’s showcase?
We’ve lost sight of so many of the delightful, surprising, and exciting ways to engage with our clients, partners, an employees via technology. Instead of always expecting so much productivity from a technology platform, how about focusing on the fabulous, the fantastic, or—dare I say it—fun?
During tough economic times, it’s harder to focus on these elements. And yet, I surmise we actually have platforms already installed in practically every company in the US today. We just need to change our view adget out of the productivity-is-everything mindset for a moment. When we do, voila! That currently installed workhorse—your technology platform-can be a stage. A stage showcasing so much more…
Posted in Blogs by Sarah Foss, Events, IT Optimization
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Tagged Broadcast, Cable, Edge Technology Services, IT Optimization, Media, Sarah Foss, software, technology, Television
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The way in which we have traditionally bought and sold advertising is dramatically shifting (I know – No surprise there!). Not only are there new creative ways to find and target your audience, but the analytics are better, which make for measuring the ROI on advertising even better!
Perhaps we are so caught up in finding our audience and ways for technology to make it happen that we overlooked the time resource just a tad. TIME is and continues to be understated! In evolving to advanced advertising more time is needed at all levels of the process, including but not limited to:
- Finding your audience
- Building an effective campaign (taking into consideration the endless options of mediums where your audience lives, the time, place, location, and level of interactivity)
- Creating and distributing content for multiple platforms
- Implementing content through multiple platforms
- Extracting analytics from multiple platforms
- Analyzing the data for ROI and future campaigns
The value is without a doubt there for the advertisers as they are now reaching a more qualified ‘targeted’ impression, but how can we on the back-end of operations reap more of that ROI? Sure we are generating new revenue streams of course, and let’s not forget getting a higher premium for each ‘targeted’ ad, but have we analyzed our entire end to end operation to ensure that we are operating as smoothly as possible from Ad Sales to Distribution? Are we generating all of the analytics that are available to us and that customers want to see? Are we able to leverage our advanced advertising as a competitive brand differentiator?
The end result, not all the answers have worked themselves out yet, it is going to take TIME. It is going to take understanding the entire process from a very high level, understanding the nuances of each unique operation (whether it be broadcast, cable, or satellite) and implementing best practice workflows that better utilize existing resources to deliver a higher ROI for each media service provider.
We know and understand the underlying principles of changing the way you do business; we are experienced in IT, project management, quality, and most importantly media! So when you are ready to start maximizing advanced advertising in your operation please give us a shout at mediasales@edgets.com.
What a week for online search providers! It’s been some tumultuous change—and for many it was predictable, and others, well, SURPRISE!
In what is becoming a media mud-slinging fest, Carol Bartz was fired from Yahoo. Of course, the numbers speak for themselves—Yahoo revenue was not trending in the right direction. Thus, the Board made a change. One could debate, then, that it either the leader (Bartz) was ineffective, or the number of attempts to increase value as a content provider were ineffective.
Then Google announced its acquisition of Zagats. Without coming out and saying “we’re focusing on content!” the promotion of Marissa Mayer to vice president of local initiatives got the online world buzzing. Now, it seems that becoming a content provider is definitely on the slate of Google strategic “to-dos.”
And, dare I mention that past few weeks’ rumors (confirmed and unconfirmed) about AOL shopping itself? Once the best game in town for online content, AOL has been working on shoring up a content provider strategy since the years before Time Warner—and after—through this year with the acquisition of The Huffington Post.
In essence, online behemoths are now moving into a new world order: one where content is king. Wait! Haven’t we seen this before? Is this déjà vu?
For those of us still working within the un-sexy but highly lucrative television industry, this isn’t a new idea. Content is the asset we survive—and thrive—on. In fact, it is our sole business strategy. Whether it is Discovery launching mobile apps for Shark Week, or local station streaming hyper-local news to its web site, or AMC launching a show so popular (Mad Men) it’s become a runway sensation for popular clothier Banana Republic, we’ve leveraged content in a number of profitable ways. We brand, sell, leverage, maximize, adore, syndicate, live and breathe our content.
Well, to the newly forming content providers, I say welcome to our world! Content is—and will remain—king.
(BTW—it will be fun to watch y’all catch up. Because us traditional media folks? Well, we’ve got this one figured out…)
Two Edge contacts were having the same problem—integration of an ERP system into industry-specific solutions. Both were ready to throw in the towel—sick of vendor excuses, project delays, and unhappy executives. And, yet both didn’t know that the other was having the problem…
Enter EDGE.
While their smart and savvy IT and development teams didn’t need our expertise to make the integration work better—they certainly needed our network!
 At first there was debate—would they actually chat with each other about their respective fiascos? In the business environment, they were competitors. But, in the IT environment, we have found time and again that smart CIOs want to share issues and risks with each other. And, these two enterprises were proving this right again. They both jumped at the chance to participate in a brokered discussion.
The collaborative “technical” spirit did break through the problems faster, cheaper, and definitely quicker than working the problem singlehandedly. In fact, other enterprises have been invited to participate—all for the goal of resolving the collective issue with the ERP vendor. (And, as expected, the more voices—the better!)
EDGE takes its mission seriously: to maximize our clients’ investment in technology. And, you may immediately think that the staffing or project placement assignments. But, you’ll find that within the co-opetitive business environment—we’re masters at leveraging our network.
EDGE Technology Services presents Recruiter Spotlight with Diane Hiller
 Diane Hiller Give us your quick story: I started working for EDGE in June, 2004 as a Recruiter. At that time the company had just moved its office from Farmington to Middletown to aquire more office space due to company growth. Since I used to be a Recruiter with c.w. Costello & Associates (for many years), a company where some of the EDGE folks also had worked, I was offered the opportunity to join the EDGE team to work with some of my previous co-workers. I was honored and excited…and still am!
What is your role on the Edge team? I am a Sr. Technical Recruiter. My primary focus is with .NET technologies but I also recruit for and staff a variety of positions (DBA’s, PM’s, Build/Release Engineers, application packagers, data analysts, business analysts, etc.).
Any thoughts on how current trends in social media have impacted your job? Pros/Cons? I believe some of the professional sites like Linked-in, for instance, are great networking tools. You realize just what a small world IT can be when you see who is connected to who. It is also helpful to have another avenue to use when you find yourself back in the job market – you can get the word out through networking vs. just posting your resume on the job boards, or responding to job postings, etc.
I also think it could be a negative experience in some ways when people use social media sites, such as Facebook or My Space, and involve their professional contacts into their personal life…can be tricky to balance the two…
What energizes you? After all these years recruiting, I still feel such a sense of joy and accomplishment when I am able to help a candidate find a great job and our clients find a great candidate for their need. It truly makes me happy!
What was your first job? My very first job, outside of babysitting, was as a “sandwich artist” at a brand new Blimpies in town. I was 15.
Tell us one thing the people you work with don’t know about you. I’ve been working with most of my colleagues for over 5 years – we are like family – so they all know me pretty well, but they may not know that I am a pretty good angler…fisherwoman…it’s relaxing and it’s even better when my husband takes the fish off the hook! Always catch and release! =)
What’s your favorite thing to do on a day off? Most of my days off happen in the summer so I really enjoy going to the lake and hanging out on the dock, swimming, taking a boat ride, spotting the kids when they’re tubing, knee-boarding, etc. I wish I was there right now…
Do you have a mantra? Words to live by? “Everything happens for a reason.” Life is too complicated to try to understand everything that goes on around you… but you have to believe there is a reason…
Tell us how your mom/dad/uncle/sibling/local barista/neighbor would describe you. I guess they would say that I seem to find the good in people/life vs. focusing on the negative. Apparently that can be annoying to some people – LOL.
If I’m searching for a job, how can I reach you? email – dhiller@edgets.com; main office number: 860-635-3342 x225; direct office number: 860-632-3704
Building a culture to change is not a new topic. Countless books have been written about it: many I’ve read, many I’ve disagreed with. While there are a number of quick hit ideas, most lasting change requires transformative leadership at all levels of a company. And, the perceived financial incentives are long-term: greater revenue potential, new market development, and/or higher profitability.
 Recently, at The Cable Show, I heard about a short-term financial gain from change: higher valuations from the street.
Of course, I mean Wall Street. Of, for privately-held companies, higher market valuations and potential returns as benchmarked by financial and industry analysts.
Right now, there is a belief that cable companies cannot innovate fast enough for consumer demand and competitive challenges. Therefore, the Street has undervalued cable companies and assets, despite increasing top- and bottom-line profitability.
While the analyst was speaking directly to the cable industry, it could have been to any other one. In essence, there is a financial benefit—or penalty, in the cable companies experience—to building a culture ready for change. As the analyst questioned the audience, “Does cable have the culture to embrace change? You have to convince us.” His statement indicated that change inherently creates value and innovation. Thus, it is handsomely rewarded by current and potential investors.
I had missed this gem in the change handbooks. But, I realized that I have implemented such “perception programs.” The power—and perception—of change cannot solely be about the internal requirements. It is just as important to leverage the necessity and commitment to change externally.
Solidifying a perception of innovation and change is a short-term financial boost no executive should ignore.
As a consultant for EDGE Technology Services I was afforded the opportunity to join a pilot Group Sales Program (GSP) for one of the large EDGE Technology Services’ insurance clients. The GSP is a program that targets small-mid size companies (approx. 25-500 employees); and offers voluntary home and auto discount programs to their employees. Upon acceptance of such programs they have to be state approved, and depending on which state it is – it varies greatly (can you say algorithm).
In my position, which is part of the small business unit in the personal market sectors, I am heavily involved with multiple contact databases and am continually working with many brand managers throughout the organization. Each new contact, aka prospect, must be cross checked through a multitude of varying programs for measurement, including Mass Marketing Display Program, Affinity Relationship Management, as well as more, and that is before we even make the initial connection.
Of course, it doesn’t stop there… once connected there are more qualifications steps and more system cross-checks (can you say algorithm).
So why is this important? Given the complexity of our multiple databases and the cross-checks needed throughout multiple programs and at multiple phases – it takes time and TIME is money! The processes we developed save a tremendous amount of time while simultaneously enhancing overall operational efficiency and productivity.
Not only have we gotten better as a team, doubling the staff in our department alone, but our success rate of the GSP program is over 97% compared to the old ‘manual’ and ‘hands-on’ way of cross-checking – that is double the rate of what was.
Providing specialized expertise in the form of a consultant, aka me, is just one of the many services that EDGE Technology Services delivers to their clients. I am very happy to be a part of the GSP module and the success of both EDGE Technology Services and our client moving forward.
EDGE Technology Services Presents Recruiter Spotlight with Lisa Catalano
Give us your quick story: What is your role on the Edge team? I am excited to be a part of the Edge Team for almost 3 months. I have been in the Technical Recruiting industry for almost 15 years.
 Lisa Catalano Any thoughts on how current trends in social media have impacted your job? Pros/Cons? The advantage of staffing is there are always positions to be filled, either contract or permanent. Downside would be when economy is struggling, the ability to show the client I work different than most firms as I am dedicated and thorough – delivering an above average service.
What energizes you? Being in a positive surrounding
What was your first job? Sales Rep in a clothing store in a mall near my home in Massachusetts
Tell us one thing the people you work with don’t know about you. I enjoy Jazz and used to play the piano.
If you could have any superpower, which would it be and why? The ability to see the future. This way I would know my applicants would get the job I sent them out on! In addition, to be able to prevent future world disasters.
What’s your favorite thing to do on a day off? Day trip to NH or ME, boating, jet skiing & kayaking
Tell us how your mom/dad/uncle/sibling/local barista/neighbor would describe you. Independent, strong, caring, thoughtful, analytical, competitive & dedicated.
If I’m searching for a job, how can I reach you? I have been using Linked In for over 5 years now under Lisa Catalano. Reach me days, nights and weekends at 617-686-2151. Email: LCatalano@edget.com.
 Sarah Foss I’ve been working with, in and/or for software companies for more than a decade. It’s the thrill of the pace, the excitement of multiple possibilities and workflows, and the risk of failure. Really messy failure…
Which lead me to a recent technical session that highlighted working within the Cloud. What enormous potential—and complete chaos—is hidden there? And, how can we leverage it, without adding storms? While there were a number of interesting investigations into mitigating risk, the one that caught my attention was about APIs.
APIs—advanced protocol interfaces—are the ways that we connect disparate software systems together. Like an automatic language translator, they ensure that messages, data, and key actions are managed between systems. And, as we move further into the Cloud, we will be building enterprises that rely on APIs to make everything work together—despite coming from different vendors, different departments, different software languages.
If not, well, failure could be really really messy.
Perhaps that is why I liked Alan Ramalay’s, CTO of thePlatform, analogy that “…APIs are like a security blanket.” They help provide comfort and confidence that we can do something we thought we couldn’t do before. (Imagine Linus of the Peanuts gang trudging into waters unknown with his trusty blue blanket…) Therefore, we better trust and like our security blanket!
Ramalay outlined key elements to evaluate APIs by. I captured a very short list as it’s a great reminder of what APIs should be to avoid those messy failures.
1. Broad. Make sure it can expand for future functionality.
2. Cohesive. It should do one thing really well and not be a monolith—tackling all functions simultaneously.
3. Secure. (Obviously…)
4. Data Access. Make sure appropriate standards, such as REST (Atom, JSON, and RSS) are complete, amongst other things.
5. Notifications. How complete are they? Guaranteed?
6. Extending the Schema. The API must extend objects and/or provide custom fields and data types.
7. Scalability. Under no circumstances should it fall below 99.99% SLA.
Whether you are building or buying, use this checklist to ensure that APIs in your enterprise are the thrilling, exciting, functional kind. Otherwise, well, you know the risks.
(Special thanks to Mr. Ramalay of thePlatform for a great—and entertaining—presentation!)
Give us your quick story: What is your role on the Edge team? I work for the Edge
 Beth Bagg Boston Team. My goal is to find qualified candidates that I can work with throughout their entire career. My job does not end once I place a candidate. I work with each and every candidate to be sure they are flourishing in their new careers.
Any thoughts on how current trends in social media have impacted your job? Pros/Cons? I find it very useful in keeping the Edge name out there in the public eye.
What energizes you? I am energized by lots of job orders and a great team environment.
What was your first job? I was a waitress at Friendly’s in High School.
Tell us one thing the people you work with don’t know about you. I coach soccer
If you could have any superpower, which would it be and why? I would like to be able to function on little to no sleep.
What’s your favorite thing to do on a day off? Play with my kids!!!!!
Tell us how your mom/dad/uncle/sibling/local barista/neighbor would describe you. Motivated
If I’m searching for a job, how can I reach you? 617.784.8100 or bbagg@edgets.com
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