Rumblings from the world of IT and E-Commerce

In the old days life was fairly simple. You had a place of work; which probably had a desk and all the essential office equipment: desktop computer, phone, calculator, Spice Girls calendar, etc. However, roll forward a few years and its amazing how that model has changed. Thanks to technology and a certain amount of liberalisation, most people can work anywhere.

I am one of those people. Armed with my laptop, 3G stick and mobile phone I tend to work wherever and whenever it suits, on the train, in the office or at home.

However there is a disadvantage to this nomadic lifestyle; keeping everything in sync can be difficult. Having a process is essential otherwise things fall through the gaps, and quickly.

Yesterday I was sitting on a train trying very hard not to listen to two elderly people engaging in a loud discussion about politics. The topics discussed ranging from our participation in Europe to the welfare state. The arguments were fairly fascinating; an insight into how life has changed over the years. I am delighted to report that the phrase “it wasn’t like that in our day” was used more than once. My initial reaction was to dismiss their opinions, but on reflection I understand their conclusions. As humans we are biased towards our own life experiences, we form our views based on our own particular past.

I don’t know about you, but for me 2009 has been a very interesting year. Looking back to this time 12 months ago it’s amazing how quickly the pace of business and technology has kept up. So, in my last post of the year I would like to make my 2010 predictions!

If The Times newspaper is to be believed it would appear the sun is beginning to set on the Dubai property bubble. Dubai World, the developers of the frankly breathtaking but rather arrogant Palm Jumeirah, a luxury development in the shape of a Palm, are reportedly in massive financial trouble. The Times reports they are in discussions with the Dubai government and hoping to suspend their debt repayments.

The Palm Jumeirah concept is simple. Take a country that is fundamentally a large beach, create a better man-made beach, then sell beach houses to millionaires. It’s a purists dream, better than the original. In reality though it’s complete madness.

In 1961 President John F. Kennedy gave America a tough goal. In the now famous speech he told the assembled Congress that before the decade was out America would land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth. It was an inspiring speech and it captured the imagination of every American, whether they believed the task was possible or not.

One of my favorite stories, and I am sure you have heard it, is about the time President Kennedy visited NASA. During one trip he came across a cleaner, and asked him what his job at NASA was. The cleaner replied “My Job is to put a man on the moon, Sir.”