Life by Design... And Databases, Too?

This year I had the opportunity to be introduced to the concept of design thinking.  Design thinking is what architects use to ‘bring into existence that which was once not there’.  Design thinking challenges us to know the problem we face (what ‘is’), know the purpose or telos where we are headed (what ‘ought’ to be), and then, by asking how to get there, to form alternative realities to what already exists (design options). 

illustration by Blanca Gomez

The beautiful thing about design thinking is its focus on the freedom to work without a script and to dream up imaginative new approaches to problems that have stymied others.  This, as opposed to analytical thinking, which has obviously been very helpful to society, but is based on a structured logic. 

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How To Work Better by Working How You Want to Work

I recently bumped into an old friend who works at Telus, who told me that for her role and many others, employees at Telus can work flexibly from any location they choose. From home, from a coffee shop, or in my friend’s case, for a few weeks from a beach house in Kelowna.

It’s not the first time I’ve heard lately about working differently. 

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Journey to a Website

In a previous job position, I was a part of a painfully slow (and until now, 3 years later, still unfulfilled) website project. Taking on a new website creation can be overwhelming or uninspiring, or anything in between…

Thankfully, our experience of creating the Clearstream Collaborative website has been unexpectedly easy, fun, and [sigh of relief] totally slick.

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44% of Information Workers Use Online Databases – What About Your Business?

A recent Intuit QuickBase survey of information workers revealed the bottom line when it comes to customized web apps/software: faster help for customers, improved productivity and better collaboration among employees.

See more of their findings in this lovely infographic by Column Five (click to enlarge):

 

via: Intuit QuickBase Report: D.I.Y. Apps in the Enterprise [INFOGRAPHIC]

Why Systems Integration Makes Sense for Your Business

There are so many fantastic technologies available, but do they play nicely with each other? Here are your Top 5 frustrations when stuff isn’t working together:

1. Email attachments. Is this the latest version? Where should I save this? When I review my email, should I re-open the attachment from there, or open it from my saved folder. Did I remember to attach that file to my email?
2. Too many files. Mac OS’s Spaces and Windows’ Flip 3D have made it easy enough to manage multiple open windows, but why do you even have to? 10 different spreadsheets, document templates, vcards, and more, simply waste extra time scanning for what you need.

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