Month: August 2008

There are problems with the Railhead Program, which for the uninitiated is the United States Terror Database. This is the database where all information regarding terrorists, potential terrorists and related evil doers was to be dumped, integrated and made available to the appropriate government agencies. This like many other things in life was almost a good idea.

The fact is the Railhead desperately needs a half billion dollar upgrade and enough personnel to keep it updated. As it stands, vital CIA intelligence is not being processed. The projected upgrades, instead of improving the system, will limit access and information sharing among the different agencies. Analysts will have increased difficulty in accessing much needed intelligence.

There are design flaws to the system. I guess that is an understatement. The article by Mike Sachoff on WedProNews quotes North Carolina Congressman, Brad Miller, who says–

“This is a critical national security program that has been plagued by technical design and development errors, basic management blunders and poor government oversight,” said Chairman Brad Miller (D-NC). “The program not only can’t connect the dots, it can’t find the dots.”

Now considering that cyber warfare is the word of the day, this breakdown in a key terror database can only bode for other systems and their vulnerability to cyber attack as well as basic dysfunction. Too often, I’m afraid, we learn the answer to that one the hard way.

Upon reading this, one has to wonder if your own business is running like the government. Do you have technical and design flaws in your systems, poor contractor management and lousy oversight? In other words, are you kidding yourself about how your own business is running?

There are valuable lessons here. The first being that systems often don’t perform in the manner claimed. The second is in relation to poor upfront planning and not going over all the what ifs and potential speed bumps when setting up your own business system. One thing is for certain, there will be always elements that will jump out and surprise you. Be they favorable elements or the spook, destructive kind can vary with luck and planning. Of course, when you eliminate these potential surprises with careful planning, design and constant oversight you reduce the more dreadful of surprises.

It is also necessary to look up the road and be willing to part with the necessary funding to constantly maintain and develop your systems so that not only meet your present needs but future needs as well. And above all, always be sure to hire the right people, with the proper skills. And then hire someone who can train and manage them effectively. The initial outlay almost always outweighs the make money you need to spend when you don’t plan for the future.

So take a lesson from this article. Be prudent. Be realistic. And, as the great agency, the Boy Scouts of America, proclaim. Be prepared.

Check them out before you hire.

Unless you have been living in a cave in the recesses of the Sahara for the last twenty years, you are aware that ageism pervades the work place. Boomers and even people in the Gen X range are having trouble retaining and finding positions.

It would stand to reason as the work place downsizes, those making the most money, incurring the most expenses in healthcare, etc., would be the ones who were first laid off. Some claim the older folks are out of day and lack energy. Like most things it is probably true in most cases, but for a generation indoctrinated with a strong work ethic, much of these claims are more convenient than likely.

But now with the shortage of skilled employees in the work place, some of the more senior executives and employees are the true finds. Rather than impose retirement, HR Managers are trying to talk them out of it. They are trying to redefine the role of the senior employee and to redesign their schedules to best accommodate their desires regarding their need for more leisure time with their needs for the added money and feeling of inclusion that employment brings.

Marc Cenedella of TheLadders.com, cites Dara Torres in her Olympic return 26 years later, at 41 years of age. This is not only reflective of Torres and her exemplary behavior at the Olympics, but for all of us.

Take advantage of the lessons you’ve learned over your career – you’re sharper, you’ve seen it all, and you’ve got a lot of learning to bring to bear on the business problems of your prospective employer. Put your best foot forward and really showcase that expertise – after all, it’s been a long time in the making!

The bottom line is show some class. Understate your achievements and respect those around you. Take the position as to what you can offer and not why someone is so lucky to find you. Undergo preemployment screening with the grace of your position and the awareness that this is the process, regardless of who you are.

If you are a senior, you may never be cool in the contemporary context. And nothing looks more pathetic than the older guy trying to look cool. But you can show class and garner the respect for your deeds, your graciousness and for the time and experience you have lived on the planet.

Check them out before you hire.