Usability - amazing interface to reset password

This is great user experience... user interface for resetting passwords in this application that I used today was amazing. every app that expects to adhere to password rules must build this functionality...

Tips to launch a Social Intranet : Adoption

I came across this interesting article related to Adoption / Launch.

Tip #1: Pilot around a specific event or project
MSP>> Use Cases - one of the most important success factor for adoption

Tip #2: Choose the right group
MSP>> Early adopters particularly should be a mix of Mavens, Brokers and Sellers - says so, Malcom Gladwell (The Tipping Point)

Tip #3: Include an influential senior person
MSP>> Culturally in India this makes a lot of difference. When boss participates, I better do, I must...

Tip #4: Set up a basic navigation structure
MSP>> The tools are new, need to be inutive supported by education if need be

Tip #5: Populate some initial content
MSP>> Remember Technographics ? All are not content creators, there must be something for the others to chew.

Tip #6: Set up email notifications
MSP>> nothing beats emails, nowadays many people get notified on handhelds too. Part of traditional marketing tactic.

Tip #7: Assign specific tasks to pilot group
MSP>> This will be very useful to keep up the momentum, particularly where people are used to get directions

Tip #8: Promote, launch and follow up
MSP>> Marketing and Communication forms an integral part of adoption - measurements too...

Most of these tips synch with my earlier post and what is in generally advocated by Adoption consultants. A couple of weeks ago, my sales team asked me to put up a plan for driving adoption for a customer in Mumbai and I happened to randomly list down factors - high 5s of adoption and they were-

• Organizational Will – to bring about cultural change
• Value derived through meaningful use cases
• Viral and Traditional Marketing techniques
• Education and Support
• Focus : Measurements and Course corrections

The LotusSphere Adoption lists following steps-

• Identify business goals
• Choose a pilot audience
• Conduct a pre-assessment that aligns with business goals
• Locate your advocates
• Soft Launch: Brainstorm with early adopters and advocates
• Train the Advocates and SMEs
• Set up regular checkpoints with the early adopters and advocates
• Monitor: assess how much the pilot participants have achieved
• Integrate tools and data with other services
• Begin expanding participation in the pilot
• Publicize the availability
• Track the usage and value

This post helps converge on what is advocated in general from Adoption of social Software in Enterprises.

Lotus Events this week

There are two events happening this week which could be of Interest to Lotus Notes/Domino Community -

Event 1 - ND 8.5.1 POT in Mumbai

IBM Lotus Notes and Domino 8.5
AN IBM PROOF OF TECHNOLOGY

Date: August 25, 26 & 27, 2010.
Time: 9:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Venue: IBM India Pvt. Ltd.,
Nirlon Knowledge Park, Boardroom #622,
Western Express Highway, Pahadi Village,
Next to Hub Mall, Goregaon (E),
Mumbai - 400 063

This exclusive three day workshop has been thoughtfully put together to offer you an in-depth examination of the new capabilities of the latest Lotus Notes and Domino Version 8.5.x. It will also help you assess the additional value of an upgrade to Version 8.5.x and explore the potential impact it can have on your existing environment.

Who will benefit from this workshop?
This workshop is specifically suited to answer the needs of IT Managers, Application Developers, System Administrators and Architects evaluating IBM Lotus Notes / Domino. No prerequisite knowledge of Lotus Notes or Domino is required.

Why should you attend?
The Proof of Technology workshop will showcase how the powerful new features of Lotus Notes and Domino Version 8.5.x are designed to give you a competitive edge. It will focus on Notes® End User, Domino® Administration, and Domino Application Development enhancements in Version 8.5.x, and help you discover how these solutions can solve your most pressing business issues.
To Register : https://www-950.ibm.com/events/swgeer/swgeer06.nsf/signin?openform&seminar=kwomrkr88dcgs&lang=en

This intensive three-day IBM Proof of Technology session is offered to you absolutely free of charge. As a participant, you will only need to make arrangements for your travel and refreshments. To enroll for the workshop, simply e-mail us at manrkuma@in.ibm.com or click on the link above.

Event 2
Lotus User Group Meeting in Bangalore

A Lotus User Group meeting is planned in Bangalore on 26 August 2010. Lotus User Group meetings are a perfect way for Senior Managers, Developers, Administrators & Support Engineers to understand new features and offerings from the Lotus Portfolio as well as a great way to network with some of the top subject matter experts in the field of social collaboration and rich user experiences. There are limited seats available at first come first serve based - to reserve your seat - please register at http://www.luglounge.in/index.php/events/view/10.

What - Lotus User Group Meeting

Where - The Park Bangalore,
Oak Room
MG Rd, Bangalore, Karnataka 560001
Phone - 080 25594666
Web URL - theparkhotels.com
Directions

Registration URL - http://www.luglounge.in/index.php/events/view/10

When - 26 August 2010, 3 PM - 6 PM

Agenda
Overview of Websphere Mobile Portal Accelerator
Websphere Portal High availability - Best practices
What's new in Websphere Portal 7 & Project Northstar
LotusLive Collaboration in Cloud Demo
Sametime Audio/Video Meetings & Collaboration Demo
What's new in Notes/Domino 8.5.2 - Show & Tell

hilarious Marathi radio FM channel prank - 2

Yet another hilarious conversation..

Mess Inquiry Hilarious Marathi Radio Prank

Amazing Marathi Radio FM Conversation-

CRM Failures at Bajaj Allianz

Bajaj Allianz guys have been calling me repeatedly since last two months. On Friday, I received probably the 15th call from the Sales guy asking me if I want to renew my car insurance.

Although I have renewed my insurance with them (have been doing so for last 2 years) I keep getting these calls.. An excellent example of how processes and CRM systems fail and lead to customer dissatisfaction. They are unable to record that the customer is already renewed and reflect this fact in their processes.. On every call, I asked the salesperson, not to call me henceforth and he in turn assured that I will not receive any call from BA - it never worked.

Finally I had to open up their web site and wrote a strong email - threatened to escalate to IRDA. Hope they act on this now.

Careers with Notes / Domino

Those who have made Notes/Domino as their Career and interested in knowing future directions should positively read this blog and listen to this webcast - http://www.edbrill.com/ebrill/edbrill.nsf/dx/joyce-davis-replay-of-july-community-meeting-future-opportunities-for-notesdomino-professionals

Notes / Domino 8.5.x version upgrade resources

Was at a meeting in Bangalore last week, with the IT team of a large UK based Domino customer who are currently running Notes/Domino 6.5. The agenda of the meeting was to help them understand / build a case for upgrade. Some of the things that they were looking for are listed here

v2v Resource list

A little about Total Economic Impact - TEI
Register to hear the Forrester webcast
Three Reasons to migrate : Video
Upgrade Best Practices on the ND Wiki
Cookbook for application upgrade

Second Innings - Tikona

Visited Tikona Fort yesterday along with a group of treckers at Aker solutions where my bil works. After a long long time got to do what I have been lasting to.. Incidentally one of the fellow trecker with whom I got introduced started talking about the forts/places in Sayhadris he visited and it got me talking about the places I had visited during my peak days (1989-1994).. the list was long.. Tikona, Visapur, Lohagad, Bhimashankar, Mahuli, Kalsubai, Harishchandragad, Mahipatgad, Rasalgad, Ratangad, Gorkhgad, Shivneri, Vasota, Nane Ghat, Peth, One Tree Hill, Rajmachi and may be a few more..

Just realised have started the second innings with Tikona -

Tikona (also known as Vitandgad) is the dominant hill fort in Maval in western India. It is located near Kamshet around 60 km from Pune The village nearest the fort is called Tikona-Peth or Tokono-Peth. The 3500 ft high hill is pyramidal in shape and the name Tikona means "triangle".^[1]

The fort is a trekking destination noted for the large doors, the temple of 'Trimbakeshwar Mahadev', a water tank and some Satvahan caves. Trek organisers also commend the views of Pawna dam and the nearby forts of Tung, Lohagad and Visapur.^[1] There is a lake at the summit.^[2]

Malik Ahmed Nizamshah of the Nizam dynasty conquered the fort in 1585 and aanexed it to the Nizam territory. In 1657 Shivaji Maharaj (The Great Maratha Emperor) brought the whole of Konkan, which had been Nizam territory, under his control when he conquered Tikona along with the forts of Karnala, Lohgad, Mahuli, Songad, Tala, and Visapur. This fort was a strategic nexus: the centre of control for the entire Pawana Mawal region. In 1660, Netaji Palkar was charged with ensuring the security of fort Tikona. Jaysingh invaded the regionn in 1665 and the local villages were by Dilerkhan but the forts held out. Tikona fort was surrendered to the Mughal warrior Kubadkhan, who had attacked the region together with Halalkhan and others, according to the Treaty of Purandar signed on 12 June 1665. Kubadkhan took over the fort on 18 June but it was later recaptured by the Marathas.^[3]