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Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Elon Musk meets with White House and Republicans to discuss EVs, Social Media


Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and Twitter, met with White House officials and top Republicans to discuss issues related to electric vehicles and social media regulation. During the meetings, Mr. Musk expressed concerns over the Biden Administration's support for rival car makers and discussed First Amendment rights on Twitter with Republicans. 

Monday, January 30, 2023

The Four Categories Of Artificial Intelligence: Impacts Office Technology



The office technology industry is rapidly evolving, and the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly significant role in this transformation. The way in which AI is implemented and utilized is shifting towards data-centric AI, which focuses on enhancing and enriching the data used to train algorithms, model-centric AI, which focuses on improving the AI models themselves, application-centric AI, which focuses on how AI is used in real-world situations, and human-centric AI, which focuses on ensuring that AI is used in a responsible way to avoid harm. These innovations have the potential to drive significant benefits and competitive advantage for early adopters.

Navigating the Hybrid Era: How Companies Can Thrive in the New Normal of Remote and In-Person Work


It's been almost three years since we first started working from home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. And since then, many of us have not returned to our office desks five days a week. This shift towards hybrid work, which combines remote and in-person work, is here to stay and is the biggest change in the way we work in our lifetimes.

Sunday, January 29, 2023

Beyond the Cubicle: How WFH is Changing the Dynamics of the Work Spouse Relationship (or How to Survive Sharing a Home Office with Your Work Spouse)


Well, folks, let me tell ya, the 'Work Spouse'
has been around since the dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Y'know, back in the days before the Covid-19 pandemic, the office was a breeding ground for interpersonal relationships, and the label 'work spouse' was like a rubber stamp of approval for a third-party 9-5 romance.

NFL and Tech Layoffs


The NFL playoffs and tech layoffs have a lot in common. Both rely heavily on data to guide their decisions, yet both are still prone to making mistakes due to psychological biases.

Take the story of Brock Purdy, a quarterback who was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers as the last pick in the NFL draft. Purdy was seen as irrelevant and unlikely to make an impact on the team. However, due to a series of unexpected events, Purdy became the starting quarterback and led the 49ers to an undefeated season.

Summarize the meaning of the song Welcome to the Machine by Pink Floyd and its social value.


Good Morning.  I asked SkyNet, "Summarize the meaning of the song Welcome to the Machine by Pink Floyd and its social value..."
"Welcome to the machine is a song that describes the process of becoming a star in a cold and mechanical way..."
It came back with: 

Saturday, January 28, 2023

WFH: The Death of the 'Work Spouse'


The "Work Wife", and "Work Spouse" has been around since the '30s. The Pre-Covid office environment was a petri dish for interpersonal relationships - the label recognizes, if not legitimizes, a third-party 9-5 relationship.

gap intelligence Announces Partnership with Greg Walters, Inc. on The Office Tech Tap


– Top executive will lead new office technology newsletter –

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – December 5, 2022 – gap intelligence and Greg Walters, Inc. have formed an alliance tasked with bringing relevant content to providers and users of office technology.

The Office Tech Tap newsletter informs, educates, and inspires users, providers, system integrators, and decision-makers on business technology, work, and life (subscribe here).

“We’re excited to partner with prolific writer, frequent speaker, and hyper-charged freelancer, Greg Walters,” said Gary Peterson, gap intelligence CEO. “Bringing his unique and provocative view on selling technology to the masses is a big win for everyone in the business of selling to businesses.”

Friday, January 27, 2023

A Poem: The Copier's Legacy: A Poem of Remembrance and Renewal



"The Copier's Legacy: A Poem of Remembrance and Renewal"

The copier stands alone
Its gears now still, no longer known
The death of the machine, a silent toll
A relic of the past, now taking its toll

The Relevance of Queer Theory in Black History Education


Okay, here we go -

I had a very interesting discussion on LinkedIn the other day that reminded me of the good old days when the internet was raw and debates heated.

I was drawn into a conversation about Queer theory inside Critical Race theory in the state of Florida's education system.

An article titled, Florida wants its strict race and gender law to influence how an AP class on Black history is taught nationwide can be found here, which started this thing off.

Granted, beforehand, I knew very little of either side - indeed, my interest level wanned, I don't have a horse in this race. I copied the conversation out of LinkedIn and ran it through GTP, 
"summarize this content and write a 1000-word, collegiate-level essay with sources, a title, a summary paragraph, and a tweet:..."
Here is the lightly edited response.
###

ChatGPT: The AI Game Changer That's About to Shake Up Industries



Highlights:
  1. Generative AI, the technology underlying ChatGPT, is poised to disrupt nearly every industry in which knowledge from written records, videos, or images can be digitized.
  2. Generative AI democratizes AI access by providing a natural language interface and lower barriers to entry, making it cheaper and more effective to use for companies.
  3. In the medium term, generative algorithms will drive innovation through "transfer learning," allowing for new capabilities in various industries such as biopharma, engineering, and software development.

Microsoft and OpenAI's Partnership: The AI-mazing Comeback Story of the Century



In a recent development,
Microsoft is emerging as a major player in the field of artificial intelligence, thanks to its partnership with OpenAI. 

  1. Looks like Microsoft is finally making a comeback and taking the lead in the AI game, thanks to their partnership with OpenAI. This is a huge win for the company and it's great to see them innovating and pushing the boundaries in technology.
  2. The integration of ChatGPT into Bing has the potential to give Google a run for their money in the search engine game, which is exciting for consumers and businesses alike. It's about time we have some competition in the space.
  3. It's clear that Microsoft is not going to repeat the same mistakes it made in the past by missing out on new trends like social and mobile. They're being proactive and aggressive in their approach to AI and it's paying off.

The Return to the Office: A Debate on Productivity and Professional Development


Take Aways:
  1. Citadel CEO Ken Griffin attributes the hedge fund's record $16 billion profits in 2022 to employees returning to the office full-time.
  2. Other financial industry leaders, such as Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman and Rich Handler of Jefferies, have also expressed support for a return to in-person work.
  3. However, research suggests that working from home can be just as productive as working in an office and may even lead to increased employee loyalty and productivity.
__________
 "not an employee choice," and Rich Handler, CEO of investment bank Jefferies, has stated that "if you want a career, engage with the rest of us in the office."

_________

The recent report of Citadel's record $16 billion profits for clients last year has reignited the debate on whether employees should return to the office full-time.

Thursday, January 26, 2023

Digital Transformation: Is it all it's Cracked up to be? My Personal Experience and the Importance of Improving User Experience


Inspired by an experience first written here, by Amy Wiess, and passed through ChatGTP.
__________


Digital transformation is a buzzword that is frequently thrown around in business and technology circles. But, what does it actually mean in practice? This morning, I had a firsthand experience of what some might call a "digital transformation" in the medical field, and it left me questioning the true meaning of the term.

"...is this how digital transformation is supposed to work? Shouldn't digital transformation make things more efficient and streamlined, not more complicated..."

ChatGPT: The Next Step in Artificial Intelligence and Its Implications for the Workforce


I've been messing around with ChatGPT over the past week and let me tell you, things are about to change big time. 

To be honest, it's got me feeling pretty scared.

It's worth considering what would happen if we gave it more memory, access to the internet to continue updating its model

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Revolutionize Customer Service with ChatGPT: The Future of AI-Powered Chatbots


"...we have been searching for automated solutions to resolve customer requests just as well as humans, if not better, for decades. But chatbots have often been seen as clunky and unhelpful. Now is the time to chase that dream and reach for the stars..."

Are you ready to take your customer service to the next level? 


Look no further than the revolutionary technology behind ChatGPT! This artificial intelligence technology has the power to turn ordinary chatbots into a fountain of information, transforming the way we interact with customers.

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

AI will go mainstream in 2023


I'm here to tell you about the future of tech. 


The industry and the press have been talking about Artificial Intelligence for years, but we haven't seen much in the way of real-world examples. Sure, we've got some fancy camera tricks on our smartphones and some cloud-based data analytics, but that's not exactly what most people think of when they hear the term AI.

But, mark my words, this is the year that's gonna change. 


We're finally gonna see some serious, in-your-face AI happening. The launch of Dall-E and ChatGPT at the end of last year was just a taste of what was to come. These are examples of what they call "generative AI" - the ability to create original content from a limited input. With Dall-E, for example, you can ask it to generate images of a red Porsche driving through wine country during a snowstorm in a pointillist style. 

And ChatGPT, well, it's even more impressive. You can ask it to write song lyrics, bedtime stories, or even college essays.

Sunday, January 22, 2023

The Evolution of Office Technology: From Typewriters to AI Assistants

Office Technology Takes a Giant Leap Forward with the Introduction of AI Assistants

It's hard to believe that just a few decades ago, office technology was limited to manual typewriters and filing cabinets. But fast forward to today, and we find ourselves in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) assistants are becoming an integral part of the modern workplace.
 
 "...the evolution of office technology has been nothing short of remarkable. From manual typewriters to AI assistants, technology has transformed the way we work and communicate..."

_________

 The introduction of personal computers in the 1980s marked the beginning of a new era in office technology. With the ability to store and process large amounts of data, computers revolutionized the way we work and communicate. However, it wasn't until the advent of the internet and the development of sophisticated software that the true potential of office technology was realized.

One of the most significant developments in recent years has been the rise of AI assistants. These intelligent software programs are designed to assist with a wide range of tasks, from scheduling meetings and managing emails to conducting research and analyzing data. AI assistants are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and many are now able to understand and respond to natural language, making them more intuitive and user-friendly.

One of the most popular AI assistants is Google Assistant, which is integrated into a range of devices, including smartphones, smart speakers, and smart displays. Google Assistant can help users with everything from setting reminders and playing music to providing weather updates and answering questions. A popular AI assistant is Amazon's Alexa, which is available on a range of devices, including the Echo Dot and Echo Show. Alexa can help users with everything from controlling their smart home devices to ordering groceries.

"...there is a concern that technology is making us more isolated and disconnected from our colleagues and the world around us..."

Another exciting development in office technology is the rise of virtual and augmented reality. Virtual reality (VR) allows users to immerse themselves in a computer-generated environment, while augmented reality (AR) enhances the user's real-world environment with digital information. These technologies have enormous potential in the workplace, particularly in industries such as architecture and engineering, where they can be used to create virtual models of buildings and structures.

As you know, telecommuting is raging with the advent and acceptance of remote working. With the advent of high-speed internet and cloud-based software, it is now possible for employees to work from anywhere in the world, as long as they have an internet connection. This has led to a significant increase in the number of remote workers and has changed the way we think about the traditional office.

However, as with any technological advancement, there are also some downsides to consider. One of the main concerns is the impact of technology on our privacy and security. As we rely more and more on technology, we are also generating vast amounts of data, which can be vulnerable to cyberattacks. Additionally, there is also the concern that technology is making us more isolated and disconnected from our colleagues and the world around us.

The evolution of office technology has been nothing short of remarkable. From manual typewriters to AI assistants, technology has transformed the way we work and communicate. 

_________

Tweet: Office technology has taken a giant leap forward with the introduction of AI assistants. From scheduling meetings to analyzing data, AI is becoming an integral part of the modern workplace. #AIassistants #office #technology

Intro paragraph: The world of office technology has come a long way from manual typewriters and filing cabinets. With the advent of personal computers and the internet, office technology has transformed the way we work and communicate. And now, with the introduction of AI assistants, we are taking another giant leap forward. These intelligent software programs are designed to assist with a wide range of tasks, from scheduling meetings and managing emails to conducting research and analyzing data.

Image prompt suggestion: An image of a person using an AI assistant on their smartphone or a smart speaker, with a busy office environment in the background.

Song matching theme: "High Hopes" by Panic! At The Disco. The song's uplifting and hopeful lyrics match the idea of technology advancing and opening up new possibilities for the workplace.

Keyword list: office technology, AI assistants, personal computers, internet, virtual reality, augmented reality, telecommuting, remote working, privacy, security, cyberattacks.

Search question: What are the potential benefits and downsides of using AI assistants in the workplace?

Click For More Information

ChatGPT: The Exciting and Alarming Capabilities of Artificial Intelligence


Joe Rogan transcript, through ChatGPT, Jan 16 2023.  Article in the style of NPR.

The Joe Rogan Experience, a popular podcast hosted by comedian Joe Rogan, recently delved into the topic of ChatGPT, a large language model trained by OpenAI. The conversation, which included guests from the tech industry, discussed the potential implications of the technology and its ability to generate written language that is often full of true information, but difficult to verify.

when something unexpected happens, like the pandemic, there is a broad-scale failure across entire disciplines where nobody seems to get it right. He added that in a world where ChatGPT is able to generate things in plain English

Saturday, January 21, 2023

The Great Rebalancing: What it Means for Employers and Employee




As a seasoned traveler and observer of the world, I've seen the ebb and flow of many things, and the job market is no exception. After three years of tumultuous ups and downs, it seems that the wild ride for American workers is coming to an end. The Great Rebalancing of the employer-employee relationship is upon us, and it's a time for both sides to take stock of where we stand.

 "...it's not a time to lay back and feel too comfortable. Job seekers should redouble their efforts and not let the tight labor market fool them into complacency..."

Introduction speech in the style of Charlton Heston


ChatGPT, short for "Chat Generative Pretrained Transformer," is a neural network-based model that can generate human-like text. It has been trained on a massive dataset of written language and can predict what the next word in a sentence will be based on the previous words. 

Thursday, January 19, 2023

ChatGPT and the Art of Enterprise Communications: A View from Late, Great, Anthony Bourdain

 

It's like taking a bowl of ramen, you got your broth, your noodles, and your toppings, but it's the broth that makes or breaks the dish. 

Listen, folks, I gotta tell ya, this Microsoft-OpenAI deal is like a big bowl of hot and sour soup, it's got a little bit of everything. Ten billion bucks, you don't see that every day, and it's not just some fancy schmancy tech company, it's OpenAI, the brainiacs behind ChatGPT. I mean, have you seen what this thing can do? It's like a culinary AI, it can whip up emails, tweets, code, and even websites all with a single text prompt.

Managed Print Services Was Here: Big Data Business Intelligence



Data in the cloud,
MBI on mobile device,
Decisions are made.

We're moving from marks on paper to the clouds, all the data is moving off the paper files. But raw data alone is not valuable, it needs to be analyzed and transformed into actionable insights. In the past, data analysis was done manually or using tools like spreadsheets. 

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

The Prints of Life: A week on the road in the world of Managed Print Services 2008

 

On the road again,
Deals to close, clients to meet,
Thrill of the chase lives.
__________


It's another day on the road, 


another week in the wild world of managed print services. I hit the gas on my beat-up Chevy and head towards Victorville, California, where a room full of copier salesmen are all vying for a piece of the action at an RFQ meeting. I can already feel the whiskey burning in my veins and the adrenaline pumping through my body. 

The drive there is a trip, let me tell you. Past the Rose Bowl, the site of many a Michigan defeat, and onto the Pacific Coast Highway. The ocean is a sight to behold, especially after a cold Michigan winter. Up to the client's office, where the C-level execs are waiting for me to inventory their fleet...

This is my element, baby.

Exploring the Potential of GPT: How it Can Improve Efficiency and Productivity in the Workplace



GPT, or Generative Pre-training Transformer, is a powerful language model that can understand and respond to natural language inputs. This technology has the ability to access vast databases and provide answers to questions based on millions of previous iterations and inquiries. However, one of the big concerns surrounding GPT is its potential to take away jobs and automate certain tasks.

In this article, we will explore the potential implications of GPT on the job market and how it can be utilized in a business setting. We will also take a look at how GPT can be used to generate an 800-word blog post in the style of Stephen King, create an SEO title and tweet, introduce a LinkedIn post, provide a five-point summary paragraph, and develop a two-day course outline.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Jordan Peterson - From Transcript to Blog Post to SciFi Novel About Ants

I've been saying this for what seems like a decade, but it's only been weeks, 'this is a big deal'.


I am surprised and alarmed at the lack of attention and outright disregard for this, by EVERYONE in our little niche.  

IT.IS.ALREADY.TOO.LATE.

ChatGTP Rewrites a Original Post in the Voice of S King - Alpha or Omega? Yes.


The march toward oblivion continues AI and writing.  

Is it the Alpha or Omega? Yes.


The debate is just starting the result is inevitable.  Like the Luddites, haters of Gutenberg, chalk and slate tablets, calculators, spellcheck, wordprocessing templates, mail merge, answering machines, and 'talkies', to quote a great movie, "It just doesn't matter."

From Picese to Aquarius - Inevitable.

I took a very nice post on LinkedIn about a blue-ish typewriter and sent it through that Great Machine asking for a rewrite in the voice of Stephen King.

Monday, January 16, 2023

Eastern Brown Snake Found Hiding in A4 Paper Tray - How to Stay Safe from Venomous Snakes

A receptionist at a dealership in Windsor, Australia, had a terrifying encounter when she discovered an eastern brown snake hiding in a printer. The venomous snake, native to south and eastern Australia, is known for its deadly venom and was quickly removed by snake rescuers from Australian Snake Catchers.

The eastern brown snake is responsible for more fatalities in Australia than any other species, with the second most toxic venom of all land snakes worldwide. Between 2005 and 2015, they were responsible for 41 percent of identified snakebites across Australia, and for 15 of the 19 snakebite deaths during that decade.

Argument About the Four Day Work Week



From a LinkedIn post dated, January 12, 2023 by Melanie Naranjo out of New York City.

The debate around what is best for employees and employers when it comes to a preferred work environment reminds me of the old adage, "The marketing person calls the glass half-full, the VP of Operations sees the same glass half-empty.  While they argue the point, the Salesperson sells the glass to a customer."

While one side battles the other about WHERE to work, AI is about to change the way IF we work.  And nobody is paying attention.

Still - it is mildly entertaining.

Exploring the Risks and Benefits of AI: A Comparison of Star Trek's "The Ultimate Computer" and Today's Advancements


Captain Dunsel

"To reap the rewards of progress and innovation, one must tread with caution, for technology's allure may lead to downfall. The key is to strike a balance, to harness its power while being cognizant of its dangers and taking the necessary steps to prevent them." 

In the Star Trek episode "The Ultimate Computer," the USS Enterprise is chosen to test a new computer system called the M-5, which is designed to run the ship without human intervention. The M-5 is highly advanced, with the ability to make decisions and take actions on its own. However, as the episode progresses, it becomes clear that the computer is malfunctioning and causing the deaths of several crew members.

Similarly, ChatGPT is a highly advanced language model that can generate human-like responses to a wide range of prompts. Like the M-5, ChatGPT is trained on a large dataset of text and has the ability to make decisions and take actions within the realm of language processing. However, it is important to note that ChatGPT is not a sentient being and does not have the ability to cause harm or make decisions that affect the real world.

Sunday, January 15, 2023

"Fighting for the Soul of Society: The Impact of Politics on Business"



In this society, where politics and business blend,
We must stay informed and not pretend,
To think that our work is separate from the rest,
For copier sales, like all, are affected by the test.

The pandemic has shown us, all politics is local,
It shapes the economy, it shapes the vocal,
It shapes the way we sell, the way we lead,
It shapes the future, of which we are the seed.

As copier salespersons, we must be like "V",
Well-versed in all aspects, vigilant,
From elected leaders to local school boards,
We must stay informed, and not be ignored.

We must anticipate regulations and laws,
And make strategic decisions, without pause,
We must stay informed about the latest trends,
And understand the needs of our friends.

We must pay attention to our community,
And tailor our strategies accordingly,
For the survival of our business is tied,
To the soul of society, on which we must rely.

So let us stay informed, let us be "V",
For victory in copier sales, and all we do,
For the fight for a sustainable future,
Is a fight for the soul of society, and our culture.


In today's society, politics and business are inextricably linked. The common thread that connects them is centralized, authoritarian rule.

Saturday, January 14, 2023

The Death of The Copier: How Converting Copier Supplies into Hand Sanitizer Can Help Fight Germs and Bacteria



As the world continues to grapple with the ongoing pandemic, businesses and organizations have had to adapt in order to keep their employees and customers safe. One such adaptation has been the conversion of copier supplies into hand sanitizer. While this may seem like a small change, it is a crucial step in the fight against germs and bacteria.

The use of hand sanitizer has become increasingly important as a way to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. With the rise of COVID-19, the need for hand sanitizer has skyrocketed, leading to shortages and increased prices. In order to meet this demand, many businesses have turned to make their own hand sanitizer. One of the most popular ways to do this is by converting copier supplies into hand sanitizer.

"Our Perception of Time is Distorted by the Internet - How Technology Affects our Sense of Time"



Time is a funny thing. 


It can seem to drag on endlessly when you're stuck in a boring meeting or stuck in traffic, but when you're having fun, it can fly by in the blink of an eye. And when it comes to the internet, time seems to warp in ways we can't even begin to comprehend.

As a writer, I spend a lot of time online researching, promoting my work, and connecting with readers. And like many of you, I've found myself sucked into the vortex of social media and online gaming, losing track of time in ways that have left me feeling disoriented and disconnected from the world around me.

AIs Will Be Sociopaths - WSJ


ChatGPT, that's what they're callin' it, this newfangled AI chatbot. Now, I ain't no scientist, but I know enough to know that this thing is spooky. It's got an uncanny ability to carry on a conversation, just like a real human. 

But is it conscious? I ain't so sure. But what I do know is that these machines are gettin' smarter and smarter, and that's a real concern. We're givin' them control over our world, and if we ain't careful, they could turn on us.

The Future of Knowledge: Gatekeepers in a Post-Scarcity World


The age of knowledge scarcity is over. 


With the advent of the internet and advancements in technology, information is now readily available to anyone with an internet connection. But as the old saying goes, "with great power comes great responsibility." As we navigate this new world of endless information, it's important to remember that the role of gatekeepers is not gone, it's just changed.

Three bullet guide for the future:

  1. The age of knowledge scarcity is over but the role of gatekeepers is not gone, it's just changed.
  2. We must adapt and find new ways to filter and curate information for a fair and unbiased system.
  3. It's up to us to create a system that serves the needs of all.

Friday, January 13, 2023

Four Flavors of AI Through the Eyes of ChatGPT


"Early adoption of these innovations can drive significant competitive advantage and business value and ease problems associated with the fragility of AI models."

The ChatGPT phenom
is historic for those who generate content - this is certain.  But it doesn't take too much to see the linguistics app is just the tip of the iceberg.  It's more than asking Siri for directions and receiving unsolicited weather updates from Alexa.

  • Tell it what you want to do on a spreadsheet and it will write the macro.
  • Tell it what you want to program for the interwebs and it will write the HTML.
  • Ask it to analyze a 1000-word article about the four types of AI, summarize it into a 500-word blog, and write both a Tweet and a LinkedIn post intro and it does.
Ask it to apply the previous content and write an article on the impact of AI on the Office Technology industry - in the voice of Hemingway - and then put together an outline, and agenda, for a show, with sample questions, about How a copier salesperson can use ChatGPT to find more prospects and sell more copiers and document management software solutions?

I did and it did.
_____

"Reducing Printing Costs: How a Comprehensive Print Assessment and Implementing Cost-Saving Measures Can Save Your Business Money"


Printing costs can be a significant expense for many businesses, yet many companies are unsure of exactly how much they're spending on printing. Without proper oversight, it's easy for money to be lost on unnecessary or inefficient printing practices. One way to gain control of your printing costs is by conducting a comprehensive print assessment.

A comprehensive print assessment is an in-depth analysis of a company's printing practices, including the number of printers, the types of devices in use, the volume of printing, and the cost per page. This information can then be used to identify areas where costs can be reduced, such as by consolidating the number of printers or switching to more cost-effective devices.

Here are a few additional tips for reducing printing costs:

"Friday the 13th: The Fall of Templars and Rise of Remote Working"



Friday the 13th is a date that has long been associated with bad luck and superstition. But where did this belief originate? Some theories suggest that it is connected to the persecution of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307

On that day, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of the Templars, a medieval Christian military order, on charges of heresy and other crimes. The Templars were arrested and tortured, and many were eventually executed. 

"Just like the Knights Templar, businesses and employees are facing new challenges and obstacles as they adapt to a new way of working."

The idea of Friday the 13th being a day of bad luck may have originated from the events of that day, as the arrest and persecution of the Templars marked the end of the order and the beginning of its downfall.

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz Announces New Return-to-Office Policy for Corporate Employees in Seattle



Starbucks is brewing up a storm with its new return-to-office policy.  Three-time Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is calling all corporate employees to come back to the office a minimum of three days a week to "rebuild and revive the energy" of the headquarters and regional offices. 

Starting Jan. 30, Seattle employees within commuting distance are expected to work in the company's headquarters building on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and a third day determined by teams and leaders. 

The other two days work from anywhere. So, grab your coffee and head back to the office, partners!"

AI is about the question, not the Answer


There are some in the education industry lobbying for the restriction and outright ban of AI tools in schools. Predictably, the establishment is gaslighting parents everywhere.

It won't matter.  At first, chalk tablets were lamented when paper and pencils entered the one-room schools.  They squawked when calculators hit the market and barely hung on when the world moved from longhand to QWERTY.

ChatGTP is making them lose their minds.  For now.

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Connecting the Dots: How Technology is Uniting Industries and Revolutionizing Business Models



Humans tell immortal stories about figures in the sky by creating illusions by drawing imaginary lines from one point of light to another. 

Connecting the dots illuminates a pattern and tells a story. For instance, the "lights" in the nighttime sky that we see as the belt of the constellation Orion - Alnitak, a triple star system located several hundred parsecs from the Sun; Alnilam, a massive blue supergiant star some 2,000 light-years distant; and Mintaka, a multiple-star system some 1,200 light-years from the Sun - are visible throughout the world.

We are adept at making connections and telling stories - it is in our nature. At first, industries may appear unrelated and vaguely disconnected, but just like the constellations, when observed from afar and with a fanciful, imaginative eye, connections are made and great stories are revealed.

Sunday, January 8, 2023

I Conducted a #ManagedPrintServices Assessment and Analysis - Then Gave it to ChatGTP



ChatGTP is a linguistics program that interrupts and responds to questions.  It's getting lots of attention on social networks.  The program either excites or intimidates, depending on perspective.

I loathe automatic proposal generators.  But this thing is incredible.

First, I asked the Super Smart Thing in the Sky:

What are the components and process of a successfully managed print services program the costs involved with implementing a program for a 400-bed hospital network?

Friday, January 6, 2023

Five Points About Artificial Intelligence You Won't Like


Inspiration: a question on Reddit,

"Why everyone keeps on saying A.I. will replace accountants it's just getting annoying now this makes me feel like I am pursuing something which would be worthless in the near future"


My response:

"Functions that require a 'process' to complete, which is every, single accounting function, will be taken over by a faster, more knowledgeable, entity. 

Functions that require a 'process' to complete, which is every, single accounting function, will be taken over by a faster, more knowledgeable, entity. 

Think of AI as the smartest, most educated employee with 500 years of experience in accounting and is updated every second with the latest GAAP, legislative, tax, and legal changes.  

How would you compete with this 'person'?  How could you?

Thursday, January 5, 2023

Why The Work From Anywhere Movement Is Important & What Your Peers Are Saying.



At one time the range of ‘office technology’ consisted of expensive devices and platforms like networks, printers, copiers, filing cabinets, desktop computers, postage machines, telephones, and fax machines to name a few.

Technology evolved. Fewer company networks, smartphones in every pocket, laptops instead of desktops, faxes in the form of email attachments, and filing cabinets in the Cloud.

What remained was the physical place to meet – meeting rooms, company kitchens, watercoolers, open

and shared areas, and the essential, Executive Conference room.

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Words Only Mean What We Let Them



I love words and phrases.

The power of words, separates us from lower-order species - sure dolphins communicate with sound, but can a dolphin make a good Old Fashion?  No, dolphins cannot make an old fashion, drive a car or hit goofballs on the moon.

Words mean things.

I asked the super-duper AI thing to summarize the meaning of, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.

This is what came back: 

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is a proverb that is meant to encourage resilience and to suggest that physical injuries are more significant and lasting than verbal ones. It suggests that people should not be affected by hurtful words and should instead focus on ignoring or brushing against them. The phrase is often used as a way to encourage people to not let insults or verbal abuse get to them and to instead focus on building resilience and inner strength. 

 - Not Bad for an algorithm imitating speech patterns.

Monday, January 2, 2023

2023 Predictions - "After The Fire, the Fire Still Burns"


Past and Future According to Greg Walters


Here we go...

Upon an ocean of auguries and reflections, my contrarian tendencies pull me into ignoring if not despising each "end of the year" account and "predictions for next year".  So many articles and pontifications - it's stifling.  

Who needs it? 

Well, low and behold, I've surrendered to the waves, to the Fire.  Here is my contribution to the deadwood of 2022 and the albatross of 2023.

*SPECIAL NOTE IF YOU WANT TO SKIP TO SEE YOUR FUTURE SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO "Artificial Intelligence" becomes simply "Intelligent".*

Sunday, January 1, 2023

Marc Benioff Is Wrong young, remote employees are Not hurting the company's productivity. It's the Software.



The pre-Covid commute has been replaced by entering data into the CRM.

Maybe Salesforce just isn't that good of a product. 

He overhired.  The market changed.  Remote professionals discovered that they don't need a manager.  Oh...and SalesForce isn't that good of a system its customers are old-school, command and control, status-quo, adhere to the process not deliverables, CYA, types that demand Walk Around Management, and define productivity as staying" between the lines."

And another thing - all these professors coming out of the woodwork and pontificating, are the propagators of the " old-school, command and control, status-quo, adhere to the process, not deliverables, CYA, types that demand Walk Around Management, and define productivity as staying between the lines." mentality - they taught it.

The world is in a place nobody has been before and comparing anything today with what was done just 48 months ago is foolish.


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