On Sunsets and Telecom

Another perfect sunset seen from Redondo Beach, California. Since arriving here in June I've had the pleasure of watching many sunsets while jogging or walking along the Redondo "Strand," and have yet to tire of the endless beauty of each individual sunset. Each one is stunning, each one is different. While jogging along this evening, watching today's contribution to my portfolio of California memories, the thought came to me that sunsets are a lot like the day to day activities that challenge our lives.

A Redondo Beach sunset has four major components:

· The sun

· The ocean

· Clouds (or lack of clouds)

· Weather

With this combination we have the ability to put together a different sunset every evening, never repeating the same sunset. Each sunset is very different, leaving a completely different emotion to the sunset participant. In Redondo Beach, the entire waterfront area appears to pause for about 10 minutes each day to watch the sun go down, indulging in explosions of color and emotion that accompany the event. Our business lives show some interesting parallels to sunsets. In my industry, telecommunications, we also have very few basic ingredients supporting business:

Cable and air (wireless) Electricity Computers Software Packet handlers (routers, switches, modems, etc)

When you think about it, each new company developing and deploying a new telecom-related product is using a combination of the above items ? they are just connected and marketed in unique models needed to fulfill requirements a market or industry. Thus, whether you are an Internet Service Provider, a web hosting company, a Voice over Internet provider, or a traditional telephone company, at some point in your business case your product will include all the above components.

Thus it is not magic to understand the technical portions of a telecom business. All telecom and Internet-related companies use the above components ? they are just put together and marketed in a different manner.

This also leads me to believe technology is not the discriminating factor in the success or failure of any business. That factor is more a product of understanding your market, developing a product with a well-prepared business plan, And then aggressively executing against your business plan. Technology can never stand alone, and very few successful businesses have ever been built solely around an emerging technology. The technology must be designed to solve a business challenge, or enable a new business model.

We have all gone through the exercise of taking an object, and determining what the purpose of that object may be. A sheet of paper may be a tool for recording written or printed information, it may be the raw material for a paper airplane or origami, just as it might be a tool for cleaning your teeth when you cannot find a pick or floss. The sheet of paper works well for all.

Computers and networks are similar. You ask what a computer is, and the response may be a word processor, or a communications terminal, or an emergency disk backup platform, or even a platform for playing games and entertainment. One computer may accomplish all the above, although the owner of each individual computer may give you a very different answer on how a computer should be used.

An Internet connection may be used primarily by one company for research and business intelligence, while another company may consider the Internet as a delivery system for disaster recovery backup and storage. Again, suitable for both, but very different in application.

Just as a sunset changes every day based on the presentation or conditions of its contributing components, the business must also consider technology as a tool to execute a successful business plan. It is important to first understand the business requirements, and then reach into the technology "tool bag" for the components needed to deliver.

(About the Author ? John Savageau is a managing director at CRG-West, responsible for managing operations and architecture for several of the largest telecommunications interconnect facilities in the US, including One Wilshire in Los Angeles)

---

The Power of Notes

Notes are very powerful. They express your thanks, encouragement, sympathy,... Read More

L.S. Macs Treasures

Such as my defeat overwhelmed me, so did my love... Read More

A Path To Peace

The root of discord and violence between people and nations... Read More

Life After Death: The Story of the Green Donkey

This is the true story of what Deepak Chopra would... Read More

The Nature of Anger

Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and Improve... Read More

Lewis And Clark Pay Attention

As I write this Southern California has just ended its... Read More

Dolphin Figurines evoke images of wild dolphins: How Do Dolphins Communicate?

Researchers are seeking to identify how dolphins communicate. Unfortunately it... Read More

Winning the Thought Battle

If you have read my articles or heard me speak,... Read More

You Are The One, There is No One Else

At the time I created my web site, I was... Read More

Self Talk: What Do You Say When You Talk to Yourself?

You have just completed a major work project before the... Read More

What Movies Can Teach You About Meaningful Coincidences (Use Them to Get What You Want)

When you have your dream clear in your mind and... Read More

Tighten Your Connection

It was my first and last experience with a pneumatic... Read More

The Pursuit of Greatness

On June 3rd, 1948, a blast rocked the Black Hills... Read More

What Is Your Real Worth?

Consider this. If it is possible to quote you as... Read More

A Childs Plight

In the streets of Bogotá, a child - named Simon*... Read More

I.Q. You Q. He, She, or It Qs.

I have, in recent years, come to believe that IQ... Read More

Thoughts on Loving

Loving. It seems like such a simple concept. But those... Read More

Motivational Posters - A Source Of Inspiration?

What Inspires You? What motivates you to get up in... Read More

Adversity to Victory

The following is a true story about a young friend... Read More

Begin With the End In Mind - Tips to Make Your Life More Meaningful

What would you change if you knew you would be... Read More

Comfort and Achievement

I'll share with you one of my deepest insights about... Read More

The Meaning of Life

Life ?.. Indeed is full of learning's, experiences, facts and... Read More

Magical Wreaths

Wreaths are like rings. They represent the Universal Circle ("Let... Read More

Passion: What It Means To Live With It

Passion can guide you, not just to live, but to... Read More

Improving Your Self Esteem

Often in our society, we are bombarded with the lives... Read More