Beacon and privacy… and controversy

Facebook had to change its plans with Beacon advertising system. The basic issue for the Beacon critics were the complexity of how users could configure how information about their online purchases were shared to their friends in Facebook. In Facebook’s case one of the active critics were MoveOn.org, that started an online petition against Beacon.

The question of privacy is very important. Consumers – you and me -want to choose what we tell friends. We are not willing to share everything. One doesn’t want to tell what books were bought from Amazon, what recipies were downloaded or what NY Times article was saved. But, there is a clear controversy on the behaviour. Many of my friends are sharing really private information voluntarily in Facebook: His birthday is today, she is not listed anymore as single, they’re attending political happening, he have just read Jonathan Glover’s book…

We working with advertising, online shopping or customer behaviour databases have to be aware on the users’ privacy concerns. Loosing public trust on privacy issues, may lead to loosing the consumer acceptance also. Online communities use their power and vote with their feet (or with mouse and index finger).

One thing is sure: Advertising, marketing and media is getting more and more interesting business!

The picture above was used under CC licence. Credits Net Efekt.

Need for light and open space

At this time of the year, only a thought about long light summer evenings makes me feel more energetic. So, I’ve been daydreaming for a while where the next yearly trekking should take place. Past treks I’ve done by myself, but now I’ve heard that there is going to be use for my bigger tent too. My top four planned destinations in Finland are listed below (not in any particular order). I think one of those will be chosen.

1. Muotkatunturi. I’ve been here once. It was raining continuously without breaks almost whole 4 days I stayed. Terrible! The official infopages describe this place as following:

…there are no marked trails, and only few open wilderness huts. The rolling fells, the beautiful Lake Peltojärvi and fast-flowing rivers of the Muotkatunturi area give the landscape its individual appearance…

2. Lemmenjoki. This is interesting place. Not only because Lemmenjoki means Love River in English, but the area is said to be beautiful. It is not demanding but there is lot of free space to walk.

Lemmenjoki National Park is a dream destination for someone who enjoys trekking. It is the largest National Park in Finland, and also one of the whole Europe’s most extensive uninhabited and roadless backwoods.

3. Kilpisjarvi. Here one may test her/his endurance at least in some level. Not real mountains, but some effort is needed when climbing with a full back pack.

Changes in altitude are quite dramatic in the wilderness area and the terrain is at points extremely demanding… …Rare mammals met in the area are the Lynx (Lynx lynx), the Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus), and the Wolverine (Gulo gulo). Wolves and bears also sometimes visit the area…

4. Kaldoaivi. Never been here either, but I’d really like to go there someday. I’m also intrigued by the proximity of arctic sea as Kaldoaivi locates at the northernmost parts of the country.

Kaldoaivi is the largest wilderness area in Finland. The landscape of this roadless fell area varies surprisingly from deep, steep river valleys to gentle fell slopes…

Picture above:View from UKK National Park (2007).

Trust and matrix organization

A while ago Mr. Mikko Kosonen gave an interesting presentation on strategic agility and especially matrix organisations. Kosonen used to be one of the key architects of present day Nokia, as responsible for strategic planning and information management.

Usual challenge in matrices is the shared responsibilities and unclear structure. Common and well justified question is: “How the shared responsibilities really work, or does it work at all?”. According to Kosonen the successful matrix organisation is based on trust. Executives responsible for business areas and those running the matrix operations have to work in a culture of a shared trust.

When allocation of resources is commonly accepted by the management, the resources are not owned by any particular business unit. This in turn allows larger and more flexible competence centres, which creates strategic agility for the whole business system. Matrix managers have to always consider business logic of the system. They are obliged to leave both unit and personal level short term wins if they contradict with the entity.

Lack of trust creates silos and in practice eventually blocks flexible allocation of resources. Continuous questioning of motives and undermining colleagues’ achievements are signs of lack of trust. These kind of signs should lead to immediate correcting actions.

Matrix demands an open and transparent organizational culture. People working for the same project should share same incentives despite which part of the organization they belong. The incentives are based on openly communicated targets and guidance metrics.

Matrices fit well for growth businesses as it may be good tool for removing obstacles of growth. Obviously the model itself is not going to change mature business to growth path. When introducing the model in any scale in any organization, the importance of trust can’t be too much underlined.

End of pale glow

Finally I had enough stomach to end a long but unsatisfying relationship. There were never any deeper between us. It was merely question of a long habit. We had our moments in the mornings before I left to work and in the evenings when I came back.

The biggest problem eventually was lack of interaction. The communication was one-way only and I had to be the listening party. Very frustrating. I neither get opportunities to discuss on important issues nor suggest what we should talk about. I just started to be quiet, passive and finally purely catatonic with my partner.

So, after years living together, I decided to sell my television through online auction! I carried the silver coloured box to the new owner’s car. I did it smiling, which according to Gerald should be very bad sign for the buyer.

But, what a relief it was! Now I have had time to read, write, exercise and rest. Much better things to do than just passively lying on the couch. I’m really happy about the decision. My daily media consumption is now build up by morning daily, various news sites, afternoon daily, magazines and some favourite podcasts. The consumption of media has changed not just in my apartment but globally. It seems that TV faces significant challenges.

For me TV became obsolete. The pale glow of non-interactive box is gone from my living room.

Misspelled headline?

I love playing with words, especially in my native language. Finnish is perfect for verbal jokes. It bends, twists and stretches. So it is excellent source for lot of fun in a bar evenings for instance. But while using English, I’m in a shallow grounds. However, here is my explanation for the misspelled headline that is combined from business and sports.

To run businesses in long term focus, the managers need to understand long evolution of a complex business systems. Managers need systems thinking and especially a lot of patience – that’s psychical endurance. In addition, to succes in normal general management duties you need to be in a excellent physical shape. Without physical endurance you’ll soon lack the psychical too.

It would be just fun to manage these “long run” things and wait the millions to float in. Ad hoc, improvising, reacting, attacking, defending and making maneuvers is our daily task. When working passionately enough with something, you almost feel the taste of blood in the mouth like while running at maximum heart rate or pushing through meter thick concrete wall to win market share. A touch of rage in its positive meaning.

That enduragement is all about – Endurance, rage and management. Headline explained. I guess.