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  • 1 min read

The Routes We Choose

When you go out to walk, run, bike, or drive what do you optimize for?

  • The fastest route to get you from point A to point B?
  • The most scenic route to enjoy the sights?
  • The safest route to ensure you get there without any issues?

Or is it something more subtle?

  • The route with the least amount of trash on garbage pickup day.
  • The route with the best smells wafting from the local bakery and pizza place.
  • The route with the highest (or lowest) likelihood of running into your family, friends, or neighbors.

When we choose to take a step forward, we implicitly and/or explicitly optimize for something.

Keep that in mind the next time you make a data model, AI model, or business decision with data.

  • 1 min read

Would you like fries with that?

Most business data has been made small with modern data platforms.

Yet, many teams are still fixated on big numbers like volume or velocity as a measure of success. The technology to make a lightning fast, highly scalable, cost effective data platform has already advanced substantially.

Instead, I believe the key differentiator for a successful data platform is plain, old, high quality customer service.

A data platform is only useful if 1) people are asking to use data and 2) people are able to get out what they need.

Imagine you're in a business role preparing a client presentation on a tight deadline. You need data quickly, which often means finding an internal expert you can turn to in a pinch.

You need someone who is:

  • Timely. You can't wait 24 hours for a response.
  • Trustworthy. You can't afford to present misleading data.
  • Respectful. If you don't know something, then you want someone who can help without talking down to you.
  • Context Aware. You don't want to describe your problem in painstaking detail; you need someone who quickly grasps your high-level goals while understanding the nuanced details of the data.
  • Creative. You need someone who thinks outside the box when everything isn't easily available.

If your data platform, tools, and team can deliver on those five promises, then your likelihood of impact across the organization is much higher.

  • 1 min read

No Discount

Try selling your product or service for the value you think it is worth. Will people still buy it?

  • 1 min read

Whelmed

It is easy to fall into the trap when building a product that "more is better." You believe that a guarantee of always over delivering means your users will never be underwhelmed.

Instead, they become overwhelmed by all the supposedly exciting features, functionality, and fanfare.

What if you could deliver just the right product/service? Here is to building towards whelmed - nothing more, nothing less.

  • 1 min read

DIY-ify

  • Can you start a successful business without money from a VC firm?
  • Can you write a novel without a publishing house?
  • Can you run a marathon without a race organizer?

What you think is required to do something hard may not be needed at all.

  • 1 min read

Thingiverse

  • Run. You don't need a race.
  • Play music. You don't need an audience.
  • Start a business. You don't need an MBA.

Focus on the thing, not the things around the thing.

  • 1 min read

Repitition

  • Start a blog. Write 50 consecutive days.
  • Pick up an instrument. Play the same piece 50 times in a row.
  • Design a new business concept. Talk to 50 people about it.

What does a repetoire of reptition result in?

Refined output. Your resilience might suprise you.

  • 1 min read

One hit wonder

What happens if you make a hit record, book, or product?

You may feel like this is a fluke. Like you can never do it again. Or if you do try, then it won't be as good as what you have already done.

Preserving your 100% success rate comes at the expense of never releasing again.

  • 1 min read

Less is More

Write one sentence a day.

This is such a little amount that it is very hard to negotiate with your own self.

It's not a shortcut nor a hack because you still must do what you set out to do: write.

  • 1 min read

Push to Prod

If you've never pushed bad code into production, then does that mean you are better than most?

Or that you aren't pushing yourself to take on difficult projects?