Agile Elephant

Technology Conferences: Disappearing or Evolving?

A phenomenon that was sure to occur in the down economy was a decline in attendance at technology conferences (although I'm sure this is taking place in other market sectors as well).  This was first brought to my attention by James McGovern.  James refers to this decline as a cut in 'education' and I can certainly understand his point.  However are we just kidding ourselves when we look at these large conferences (i.e. Sapphire, MacWorld, OpenWorld) as an educational opportunity when, in my experience, they are really nothing more than a boondoggle for a paid vacation and useless swag?

Where James and other bloggers get it right is when they talk about how conferences are evolving.  Smaller, more intimate gatherings where specific topics are focused on and discussed can still bring a strong turnout (Regional User Groups, OWASP events, etc.).  Virtual conferences and webinars are also on the rise.

So while the Javitz and Moscone Centers might remain dormant, there are still evolving opportunities to learn and interface with colleagues without breaking your or your employers budget.  Unfortunately though, you'll have to forget about all the fuzzy dice and light-up pens.

Greg is Getting Good Press

I must have missed this from a few weeks ago, even though I'm an avid WSJ online reader.  Tibco's viral marketing campaign with Greg the Architect is getting some attention.  I think I will still be forced to explain what SOA is to my friends at dinner parties (I know....boring dinner parties), but I think it's interesting that the more mainstream press is reporting on this subject.

Agile Thoughts For the Day

You Say EA, I Say SOA: Let's Call The Whole Thing Off:  Joe McKendrick points out that these two terms may be converging.  Until the skills gap is closed, however, and more Enterprise Architects better understand SOA, then it will be hard to use these terms interchangably.

Grown Men Can Cry: The human aspects of technology and the efforts we all put forth for others are really what makes everything worthwhile.  Maybe our personal/charitable interests should be higher up on the resume for employers to see...But would they care?  I think Jim McGovern would.

Go Big Blue!: Now I'm a Dallas Cowboy fan trapped in NY Giant country, but how lucky is this guy.... You know, I think that's actually Mike Kavis.

My Favorite Posts

I guess I could be considered a 'newbie' to blogging as I just started a year ago, but I've learned a great deal and also met some very interesting people during this journey.  Going back and looking at my posts for the past year was a good experience for me.  I wanted to give you some of my favorites.

Happy New Year to all and I wish a properous 2008 to each of you!

• Consultants are Going Fast!
• Enterprise Architects: Needles in a Haystack?
• SOA and Going Green
• SOA Governance: Is There Such a Thing as Too Much?
• It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Recruiting World
• Are You an Enterprise Architect...
• Enterprise Architects as Impact Players
• Winning the War for Top Talent: Build a Talent Factory
• Put Your Talent on Display
• Enterprise Architects and Online Poker
• Do Women Hate IT?  Should We Care?
• Keep Your Job From Being 'Bangalored'
• Becoming a Recruitable Enterprise Architect

Giving Thanks

I have been lucky enough to be involved with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for the past few years and, for the past 2 years, my son has been able to be a part of it as well.  The video below is from last year's parade.  My son is dressed as the policeman on the float and I am the crazy clown at the very end of the video.

Link to video here.

It's a great time for my son and I and I'm thankful for all the moments like that one to spend with him.

Take the time this holiday season to let others know how thankful you are for their help this past year.  I'll be making a few of those contacts myself.

And let's not forget those people that need our help at holiday time.  We are all very blessed to work in the professions that we do and it would be nice if we, as individuals and corporations, could do more to make those less fortunate more comfortable.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Click Here to donate to Mazon

Agile Thoughts For The Day

SOAH or Ess-Oh-Ay: OK, maybe we have 'jumped the shark' in the SOA blogosphere....

Oracle Tenders Offer to BEA:  Speaking of sharks....

SOA Beyond the Hype:  I'm a fan of Todd Biske and always appreciate his ability to take complicated topics and explain them clearly.

Gender-Based Recruiting for EAs:  Bravo to Cisco for its marketing push.  Call me if you need help!

SOA Governance - The Carrot and the Stick:  The human element to governance is critical.  We want to automate as much as possible, but there needs to be some personal involvement...Right?

Agile Thoughts For The Day

I'm very happy to announce that my firm has recently hired Jonathan Kahn as our Director of Architecture Services.  Please keep your eyes peeled for the occassional post from Jonathan on this blog.

Is Management Really a Profession?:  I wonder if there could be some sort of Hippocratic Oath for Enterprise Architects...

East vs. West - Which Coast is Best for an IT Career?:  I'm an east coast guy, so I'll stick by 50 Cent over Snoop Dog any day.

IT Carrying the Water for SOA: Joe McKendrick and the other bloggers mentioned in his post (Todd Biske, Miko Matsumura, etc.) are on target when speaking of the partnership needed between IT and the business.  But when you need SOA project approval, sometimes the business is the best place to turn.  Just ask Mike Kavis.

Strategy on the Board:  How involved should corporate boards be in formulating strategy?  I think it's an excellent question.  With a 'heightened state of governance',  couldn't this just be a positive?

The Coming Brain Drain: Those companies that are not aggressively hiring and retaining intelligent, talented people and are also not developing a strategy for knowledge retention are in for a world of hurt.

Agile Thoughts for the Day

HOT JOB - Enterprise Architect: I have been critical of CIO Magazine in the past, but they seem to hit the nail right on the head with their description of the EA role.  Note the section on "how to find them".  Ain't so easy, is it?

Back in the High Life:  I happen to be a big Steve Winwood fan, but I want to wish Todd Biske the best of luck in his new role.  Enjoy the corporate world Todd and say goodbye to those frequent flyer miles!  But Mr. McGovern, what exactly is the difference between providing EA as a service and being an EA? (honest question...I think it would make for a good topic) Thanks!

Happy New Year 5768:  2007 marks the 40th anniversary of The Six Day War.  This site provides some interesting insight into what it must have been like during that time.

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Remember writing this essay in grade school?  Well it's been a great summer for me and my firm.  While we have always had a thriving contract staffing practice, our Executive Search group has shown consistent growth this summer; especially with Enterprise Architecture and SOA placements.

And the market is not showing any signs of slowing down.  As a matter of fact, this Monday I will start a weekly posting of various career opportunities that we are working on for our clients.  I will not turn this blog into a job site, but the market (war) for top talent is strong and I feel that a little bit of career opportunity can be a resourceful tool for my subscribers.  Please keep an eye out for it next week.

So now that the sand is out of my shoes and my duties as soccer coach have begun, I realize that the summer has come to an end.  Time to attack that job market!

Agile Thoughts for the Day

'Cool' Jobs:  Do your kids think you have a cool job?  I know mine do and I think it's important for children to have pride in their parents careers.

Monster Security:  I recently blogged on the dangers of posting your resume online.  It would appear as though Monster is starting to take these matters seriously.

Chief Eccentric Officer:  Do you work for one of these "CEOs"?  Maybe we all need a little 'crazy' to get ahead in life.

SOA Governance: "Governance is the tail that wags the SOA dog.  An organization that deploys Web Services without a solid governance program is headed for serious trouble in terms of reliability, security and cost."  I couldn't say it any better.

Follow Your Dreams:  The video below is my wife singing in a cabaret show in New York City.  She's following her dream....  are you?