Editorial
The Promise of Connectivity
Spring has arrived in Chicago after what has been a particularly frigid bout with old man winter. Spring is universally viewed as the season of renewal, from plant life piercing the topsoil erupting in new growth, to the human concept that hope springs eternal. We humans of the Chicago variety embrace the latter by proclaiming the Cubs will… will… let’s move on.
In this age of information technology, the word connectivity is arguably the golden thread weaving “information” to “technology.” Ask people what they think of when they hear the word "connectivity" and most likely you’ll get answers derived from personal experience using technology to meet their specific needs. From executing our work in virtual space via web-based software as service tools to PDAs that do everything except the laundry, it is about technology’s ability to give us improved functioning and greater rewards.
“In mathematics and computer science, connectivity is one of the basic concepts of graph theory. It is closely related to the theory of network flow problems. The connectivity of a graph is an important measure of its robustness as a network.” Wiki/2007
I’m not a math whiz but, when I hear graph theory and the word connectivity used in the same sentence, I figure there’s an intersection happening somewhere. Perhaps we can visualize it as a well chewed wad of bubblegum lodged between the fields of mathematics and
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computer science being stretched to gage the strength of a network; the longer the stretch the greater the number of connections created. Hmm, maybe that analogy is a stretch, nevertheless connectivity as defined above is an amazing thing…reducing the understanding of technology down to mathematical calculations and electric current.
The promise of connectivity to the work world is that with each new development work becomes increasingly seamless, smarter and faster. By adopting technologies wisely (and using them!) we stand to manage information better and improve our communication. However, the promise only gets fulfilled when you use your tools to maximum advantage.
Blue Plate Special
Here’s a strategy management recommendation that employs technology you most likely use within your organization:
Use Microsoft Outlook to manage your organization’s calendar of strategy focused activities. Begin by creating a matrix of all the regular activities associated with developments, implementation and evaluation of your plan over the course of the fiscal year. Then load it into your organization’s Outlook and maximize your use of technology to manage this administrative function to shoot out notifications, reminders and updates to your staff and leadership. In short, let technology do the lifting and reduce your time managing this stuff.
Want more information on how to do this within your organization? Contact us at info@lblstrategies.com or 773-774-0240
Now back to the Cubs…