Many pundits are predicting that as the US emerges from its worst economic contraction since the Great Depression, business will bounce back with minimal new hires. One of the primary ways that businesses grow their productivity without hiring more employees is to use information technology to automate processes that used to be done by real people. But if the economy is still weak and the organization isn’t growing, that means life actually gets harder for those of us in IT because we’re being asked to deliver great returns to the company without allowing us to hire more people to get … [Read more...]
Plays Well With Others – Strong Leadership During Weak Budgets
Filed Under: Opinion, Professional Development, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: Professional Development
Plays Well With Others – Inaugural
Professional Development for the SQL Server Technologist This series of posts is dedicated to enhancing your soft skills. For many technologists, the day-to-day grind of work tends to keep us focused on the SQL Server part of work and causes us to overlook the Professional. While we, as technologists, spend the majority of our time honing hard, technology skills, but it’s important to remember that we are first and foremost employed to add value to the business processes of the organizations we work for. In this series I will cover a wide variety of topics, including soft skills like … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Opinion, Professional Development, SQLServerPedia Syndication, Strategies Tagged With: Plays Well With Others, Professional Development
Video: Worth Upgrading to SQL Server 2005
Why companies should upgrade their databases to SQL Server 2005. Please forgive posting this old video. Many of the tips are still worth paying attention to since SQL Server 2005 features and technologies are the foundation of subsequent releases. Posted December 19, 2006. … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Opinion, Presentations, Professional Development, SQLServerPedia Syndication, Video Tagged With: DBA, Developer, SQL Server 2005
Video: Influence and Authority
In today's podcast, Kevin Kline talks about the difference between influence and authority, and why IT professionals need to work on their influence to succeed. You can view this video in higher quality or your favorite portable formats at: http://sqlserverpedia.com/blog/profes... Posted December 24, 2008. … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Opinion, Professional Development, SQLServerPedia Syndication, Video Tagged With: Professional Development, Video
Windows Azure Boot Camp
I'm sorry that I got this out a bit late, but there are still a city or two where you can join in on these great free, 1-day classes on Windows Azure provided by Neudesic. Atlanta, for example, is set for July 28th. You'll get a deep dive program that will prepare you to deliver solutions on the Windows Azure Platform. The region's best Azure experts will teach you how to work in the cloud through training, discussion, review of real scenarios, and hands on labs. Snacks and drinks will be provided; however, you're advised to bring an extension cord and to you to make your own lunch … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Professional Development, SQLServerPedia Syndication, TCD blog post Tagged With: Azure, cloud computing, Training, Web Development, Windows
Now on SQLPASS, “Can Integrity Be Learned?”
Ok, I admit it. I've done about as good a job publicizing my monthly professional development column, Plays Well With Others, as NBC did when the transitioned Jay Leno back to the Tonight Show. So I'm going to try to better, henceforth and forever more! Two entries ago, I talked about the The 8 Characteristics of Exceptional Leaders. This month, I'm drilling into the characteristic on that list that generated the most controversy in emails and messages - "Absolute Integrity". Many people took issue with the concept that integrity can be learned, instead believing that integrity … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Ethics, PASS, Professional Development, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: Leadership, Professional Development, SQLPASS
Join Me May 19th for 24 Hours of PASS
Join Us for 24 Hours of SQL Server Training (with a special focus on SQL Server 2008 R2) Did I mention that your Cohorts in Crime (that be me and Brent Ozar) are presenting?!? The FREE 24 Hours of PASS event is bringing an exceptional lineup of SQL Server and BI experts to your computer starting at 12:00 GMT (UTC) on May 19. Get an in-depth look at the hottest SQL Server and BI topics, including (but not limited to!) - the new SQL Server 2008 R2, with its business intelligence and data management innovations, and much more. When does it start? 12:00 GMT … [Read more...]
Collaboration Nation Call to Action! Calling All SQL Server Bloggers and Twitterers
The Suggestion The Modern Language Association hasn't made up all the new rules yet to govern how one blogger should reverence, er, reference another in their blog posts. But they should! Let's get that ball rolling for them. I'm not exactly sure who started this format, but it's my favorite. When writing a blog post in which you mention another person's blog, let's do it like this: "blogger name (blog_hyperlink | twitter_hyperlink)" So, we might read a blog post by my friend Kimberly Tripp (blog | twitter) that might look something like this: "...the Scottish Terrier was so well … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Memes, On-Line Resources, Opinion, Professional Development, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: Collaboration Nation, DBA, Developer, MVP, Professional Development, Writing
New On SQLPASS.ORG – Dealing with Micromanagers
In my regular professional development column for the Professional Association for SQL Server (PASS), Plays Well With Others, check out my latest post on dealing with micromanagers. If you've ever dealt with a manager who questioned your every move, hijacked meetings, nit-picked over inconsequential details, or made you jump through endless hoops of administrivia, then you know what I'm writing about. This article is part one of a two part series. Part one deals with identifying how and why managers become micro-managers. Part two, coming in the next issue of the PASS Community … [Read more...]
Filed Under: PASS, Professional Development Tagged With: Professional Development
PASS 2009 Lifetime PASSion Award
A HAPPY RETIREMENT January 1st, 2010 marked a very special day for me. It was the first time in the past ten years in which I had no official PASS responsibility at the HQ level. (I'm still serving in the local PASS chapter here in Nashville, along with the awesomeness that is DrSQL (blog | twitter) and the whackness that is Joe Webb (blog | twitter). We also have the irreplaceable Shelton Dickson and Roberto Lopez helping us out). I also intend to stay active as a speaker for PASS. I spoke at the PASS 2009 Summit, earning a top presenter spot in the Professional Development track, and … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Opinion, PASS, Professional Development, SQLServerPedia Syndication Tagged With: Goals, Humor, Professional Development, SQLSaturday
