beyond438

HR2008 in Amsterdam

Posted by on Nov 2, 2008 in HCM, ROC, SAP | 0 comments

I’m on my way to Amsterdam to attend HR2008. This will be the first time this Wispubs conference will be held in Europe. ROC is the premier sponsor and our chairman, Les Hayman, will be one of the keynote speakers. If you are attending come by our booth and to say hi. Leave a comment if you want to get together during the conference.Watch this space for more on the conference…Dec 1, ’09 update: OK, I know you’ve been watching this space for awhile. I lost my iPhone (I used it to write drafts of my post) in Amsterdam and also lost my will to recreate the content I created regarding the conference. Hopefully next time.

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We are living in interesting times

Posted by on Oct 30, 2008 in Business, Leadership | 0 comments

Batman Ride

The current economic roller coaster is not as much fun as the Batman at Six flags. The market gyrations and financial market meltdown is definitely no fun and most of us has not experienced this before. The post-2000 dotcom bust now seems like a walk-in-the-park.I’m sure there are tons of good advice out their. Here are my favorites:Here is John Doerr‘s (Mr VC) top 10 tips, with the HCM Gartner guru, Jim Holincheck sharing his thoughts on the impact on the HCM market (maybe a bit dated), and finally my favorite entrepreneur guy, Guy Kawasaki’s post on the subject from a CEO perspective. This Sequoia capital presentation is very interesting (and potentially depressing) reading.I belong to Vistage, a global organization for CEOs and their top economist, Brian Beaulieu provided sage advise regarding the next 18 months. Here are a few actionable items for business owners:

  • If you have future cash needs. draw down your credit lines and hold the cash.
  • Use CDARS (a network of FDIC insured banks) as a way to protect your cash.
  • Take all necessary actions to maintain a positive cash flow.
  • Retool your management objectives with the understanding that this business cycle has a rise on the other side of the recession. Position your business for the next ascent.
  • Lead with confidence and optimism, with the attitude that “we can beat the business cycle.”
  • Find clients in these resilient sectors: healthcare, food distribution, water purification/distribution, electricity, natural gas distribution, consumer non-durables, education (community colleges in particular) and exports.
  • Expand internationally, and don’t overlook growing markets in Brazil and Chile.
  • Always give your clients a compelling reason to buy from you.
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First private rocket to orbit the earth!

Posted by on Sep 29, 2008 in Aviation, Entrepreneurship | 0 comments

On September 28, 2008 SpaceX finally placed a privately developed rocket in an orbit around the earth. SpaceX is Elon Musk’s privately funded space exploration company.

 SpaceX Falcon 1 launch
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HCL acquires Axon

Posted by on Aug 28, 2008 in Business, HCM, SAP | 1 comment

If you are in the SAP world then this is big news. Infosys announced on August 25, 2008 that it plans to acquire Axon for US$753MM in cash. A couple of years ago Axon acquired US based PremierHR. A significant inducement fee should prevent Axon from taking a competitive bid. Here is a good analysis of the move by Infosys.Update: HCL ended up acquiring Axon instead of Infosys.Sep 29, 2008: HCL Technologies is offering 650 pence per share or 50 pence per share more than the Infosys bid. Infosys may counter-bid soon and the bidding could go as high as 700-750 pence per share or almost a $1bn.Interesting move…what do you think about it?

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SuccessApps: Successfactors and Google Apps

Posted by on Aug 14, 2008 in HCM, Saas, SAP | 0 comments

Successfactors (SFSF) recently announced integration into Google Apps (GOOG). I think this is a very important announcement. See what Phil Wainewright has to say about this. Bringing the Web, especially Web 2.0 into the enterprise. SAP, take note.Here is what Successfactors had to say about the integration.

The integration of SuccessFactors’ Performance and Talent Management suite with Google Apps collaborative products and other tools enables enterprises of any and all sizes to reap the benefits of Software as a Service and cloud computing (no hardware or software to download, install or maintain), and extends SuccessFactors’ mission to help companies better manage, motivate and engage their people to drive better business results.

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