REAL Talk With Sam Holcman

Digital Transformation – Going on Fifty Years?

When we were asked this question by one of our clients, the question being what is digital transformation, we did a bit of research.  As typical, we started with Google and Bing.  And to be a bit more contemporary, we asked a few AI engines the same question.  Summary – not really helpful!  Words have meaning.  What we suggest we need to do is enhancing or optimizing business activities through technologies – digital optimization.  Have a listen for more information.

The Key Skill for Business Architects and Enterprise Architects

What is the key skill that is not generally taught in Business Architecture or Enterprise Architecture Seminars and Training Courses?  Soft Skills!  The skills needed to get your point across and be heard.  Yes, a balance between “Hard Skills” that you get in these Seminars is just one component, and some say not the key component.  Have a listen to what Soft Skills are.

Cloud Computing and In House Computing - The New Reality

It has been ten-plus years since the meteoric rise in the use of off-premises computing – cloud computing.  Of course, we all know things change, and a little advertised change in the Information Technology world is the widening costs differential between in-house computing and cloud-based computing.  There has been and is a steady rise in the cost of cloud solutions and a corresponding steady decrease in the full cost of in-house solutions.  It is time to take a look at a balanced approach to these options.

The Six Questions To Ask When Hiring A Consultant, and One That Is A Waste Of Time

We have compiled the six most often asked questions when we are called on for a potential consulting engagement. These six questions address the most important skills a consultant needs.  And you should be able to gauge the answers to these questions quite quickly.  And yes, there is one time-waster question we also suggest really is a time waster!

Leveling the Playing Field Between Content Producers and Content Outlets

In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Paul Vieira outlines the actions taken by the Canadian Government that would force Facebook and Google (amongst others) to pay media outlets for links.  I call this leveling the playing field, and this podcast outlines why it is time for this to happen.  And by extension, the same compensation needs to occur from the AI vendors that are training their tools on intellectual capital they do not have rights to.

What questions do you need to ask when looking at new technologies?

An article I read - "7 Ley questions CIOs need to answer before committing to generative AI," got me thinking about what questions need to be ASKED prior to not just AI - but any technology that is acquired/implemented. Using just a small component of the EACOE Enterprise Architecture approach will provide these questions. It is worth just a few minutes of your time, I believe.

Paid Information Sources or the Public Internet

Whether you are into AI or not, we all have a choice to make when we are looking for information of any kind – restaurant recommendations, business trends, gasoline prices, strategies, or best practices.  Two fundamental sources exist – paid sources and no-cost sources.  Have you thought about it in these simple terms?  That is what this broadcast is about.

AI Writing Your Code? You are still in Maturity Level 1

I recently read an article titled AI is Writing Code Now. For Companies, That is Good and Bad. In summary, it is bad.  It is not only bad because we are increasing complexity and exacerbating technical debt, but these organizations are just speeding up what they have been doing for decades. It is time to realize where we are in Information Technology Maturity and get the organization on the path to Maturity Level 3 – Assemble Solutions to Order.

Eight Famous AI Disasters (Plus One)

In a recent CIO article, eight famous analytics and AI disasters are described, discussed, and analyzed.  There is a common theme that is apparent after a bit of analysis is done.  I call this the ninth and continuing disaster.  A solution to this ongoing disaster is outlined.

Google AI Bard Privacy and Use Statement and Best Practices

As a public service, I am reading the actual “Bard Privacy Notice” in this podcast.  It is worth all to spend five minutes listening to this Notice.  I will then relate this Notice to what it means to those of us that in some way, rely on the Internet/AI for information and the use of this information.  WOW!