Much was written last month regarding Steve Jobs’ resignation as CEO of Apple Computer. Various articles chronicled the numerous contributions which Jobs made in technology, business, film and (global!) culture.
However, my favorite profile was penned by the Boston Globe’s Hiawatha Bray, who was quite vocal about the many failures which Jobs also experienced. What was most enlightening about Bray’s profile was the way it pointed out that many of Jobs’ failures served as the foundation and starting point for future successes. (Indeed, Jobs’ famous 2005 Stanford commencement ceremony speech had similar themes.)
Everyone who inspires to leave their mark on the world (and hopefully that is everyone), can learn valuable lessons regarding the inseparably intertwined roles of both success and failure as we strive to achieve our goals.
…and as you are setting goals, keep in mind, that — per Built to Last (affiliate link), which should be required reading for leaders in every sector — you should be targeting BHAG‘s. Here are some thoughts about how to set good BHAG’s.
A recent post described my participation in the Life Sciences Technology Insight event at the Harvard Club in Boston Massachusetts. As Clintara‘s Director of Technology I gave a presentation (along with a colleague from Astra Zeneca) describing Clintara’s services and new technologies (including utilization of a smartpen and our new iPad prototype).
We were pleased to win the audience’s award for Best Innovative Case Study Presentation. (Above picture shows me receiving the award from Bill Sell, Vice President & General Manager of CrossTech Forums.) As promised, I have posted the video from that event in this post.
Below is a brief overview/preview (5 minutes) of the presentation. Click here if video thumbnail is not visible below. (Note: The entire presentation can be viewed by scrolling further down this page.)
The entire presentation (40 minutes) can be viewed below.
Click here if video thumbnail is not visible below.
One of the things which I enjoy is the annual July 4th fireworks display in Boston. Below are some interesting links and video which show the behind the scenes activities, and some related stories/info.
The rhythm of the rockets - A master pyrotechnician synchronizes the dazzling fireworks with music for Boston’s 2011 Fourth of July celebration on the Esplanade.
The official website for the Boston Fourth of July celebration on the Esplanade
2009 WSJ article re: NYC’s fireworks behind the scenes activities
A Bulgarian blogger experiences the 2010 Boston fireworks as the best in the world
Below video shows an interesting 2009 tour of the Boston fireworks barge. (If the video is not visible, refresh your browser view, and/or click here. Adobe Flash is required to play the video. Can also try this link, which requires free registration.)
As Clintara’s Director of Technology, I gave the initial segment of the presentation, in which I shared regarding the problems which pharmaceutical companies experience when launching new drugs (particularly in regards to drugs for central nervous system diseases). I gave an overview of Clintara’s services (training, certification and diligence), described our smart pen functionality, and gave the audience a preview of our brand-new, native iPad training prototype.
I then introduced Astra Zeneca’s Ellis Wilson, who gave an excellent overview of the challenges which the pharmaceutical industry has experienced in regards to the increased incidence of noncompliant patients, inappropriate patients, and financially motivated patients. Ellis presented data from several clinical trials and described how these patients created issues with the clinical trial data. Ellis also shared how new technologies (such as those provided by Clintara) were beneficial in decreasing unwanted data variability.
I will post a link to the video of the presentation when it becomes available…. (Edit: Here it is!)
June 13-14, 2011, Harvard club, Boston Massachusetts
Now there is an executive summit for busy Life Sciences IT professionals. It is a two day program that will cover technology advances on both sides of the drug approval process:
eClinical Ecosystem and the stages in clinical trials management.
Business Ecosystem looking at the issues of manufacturing and supply chain management, sourcing, direct-to-consumer programs, quality management/safety, distribution and revenue leakage issues.
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) continues to be a malody which afflicts many persons who do certain fine-motor-muscle tasks (typing, chopping, assembling parts on a manufacturing line, etc.) repetitively over a long period of time. The results (in certain persons) can be inflammation of tendons, pain, numbness, tingling, weakness and inability to function with that particular lamb (finger, wrist, arm, etc.). Afflictions which fall in the umbrella of RSI include carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, tendinitis and others. RSI may also be referred to as cumulative trauma disorder (CTD).
Some statistics point to RSI as being the most costly injury faced by industry. For example, I was in a recent presentation by a voice-recognition software manufacturer, in which they indicated that Intel (one of their customers) has actually deployed software throughout its firm which monitors the number of keystrokes which each employee types. Once the employee has exceeded a certain threshold of keystrokes for that time period, the employee is required to go home for the rest of the week. I was unable to verify this fact, but it sounds plausible.
RSI is more easily prevented than cured. Accordingly, here are some resources to give you more information on the topic.
