Why Gamification isn’t just a fad

Whether or not most people realize it (or want to recognize it) games play an integral role in our lives. Sure, gaming can be something people do to break away from responsibilities or more serious tasks, but don’t most jobs (already) demand employees adopt a “game-like” mentality? In all reality, any activity which incorporates a goal with obstacles (and perhaps a time limit; like the length of your work day, for example) is technically a game, right? It seems that the main difference between what is considered to be “work” and “gaming” is whether or not it is in any way “fun” or enjoyable. For instance, just think about someone who really loves their job, the traditional meaning of the term “work” hardly applies to them.

Recently we’ve seen a big push from larger organizations and businesses to incorporate Gamification elements into their overall strategies. At first the concept was to use Gamification to entice consumers (which is still very useful), but now we’re seeing similar techniques being deployed to motivate and engage employees as well. Some people assume that Gamification is some kind of new-age version of the corporate model (and perhaps work in general), but the truth is that it’s much more of a “holistic” approach. According to Merriam-Webster online, the term “holistic” pertains to a medical approach which is concerned with treating all aspects of patient’s systems instead of just individual parts.

If we apply the same type of (holistic) thinking to employees and their respective careers, it’s clear that there are many different elements involved in maintaining a productive worker. In other words, miserable employees are probably going to be a lot less productive than those who are happy or merely satisfied. So, it is really in a company’s best interests (both in the long and short-term) to find new ways to utilize Gamification since it has been shown to directly improve the attitudes and capabilities of the average employee.

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However, there is something to be said about overtly complex or ineffective methods of applying Gamification. For instance, if an organization was forcibly applying Gamification in some way (visualize a Monty Python-esque skit where employees are “forced” to have fun…or else) its overall effectiveness would drop significantly. Basically, Gamification should be utilized in a way that entices and rewards workers, not to subject them to additional “controls”.

Gamification is more-or-less an evolution of the natural tendencies of the workplace.   Likewise, it is perhaps an attempt to find new ways to engage the abilities and hidden motivations that employees might be harboring. When it works correctly (or is applied in a suitable manner) Gamification is able to create a bonding effect on personnel. Additionally, fresh incentives usually help to foster a new creative drive within a business. Over time, employees might be able to better visualize how their work fits into the big picture; and through Gamification, those that are more apt to achieve / succeed will be more greatly rewarded. Simply put, it’s a trade-off; the organization puts forth more potential rewards in exchange for added productivity, creativity and stability (a win-win situation).

The “fun factor” of Gamification is what (hopefully) keeps bringing people back to it. Shouldn’t employees be presented with project goals which are both amusing and provide them with a specific “target” to aim for? After all, one can easily lose focus when there is no short-term goal in place to shoot for. Ask yourself this; what’s better, a series of engaging and entertaining goals, or a seemingly endless barrage of repetitive activities? Through Gamification, employees are also able to personally gauge their own progress as well, which helps to reinforce the concept of achievement.

In reality, Gamification is merely an attempt to apply new technologies (apps, cloud services or software) to reinforce the psychological drivers of the workplace. The hope is that, all employees will become more proactive in their daily duties. Likewise, through increased contribution, perhaps the average worker will also become more knowledgeable with regards to the larger goals of their employer. In this way, Gamification in the workplace isn’t so much “an entirely new approach” as it is an adaptation of elements which have always been present. Furthermore, Gamification can also bee seen as a way to get employees to “become their own boss”, which might help to spur company growth, starting with individuals of course. However, on the lighter side, it can also be used as a simple motivator. That’s the great thing about Gamification; you can apply it in various ways.  

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Becoming a MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) is your first step toward more advanced training

Over the course of the last decade or so Microsoft has arguably become the world’s foremost tech company. They’ve expanded well beyond operating systems and have moved into virtually all areas of computing, software/hardware production & design, as well as networking, cloud computing and much more… Simply put, Microsoft is a technological behemoth the likes of which the world has never seen before. Given this information, the emergence of Microsoft-centric training and certification programs are perfectly understandable, wouldn’t you agree?

The Microsoft Certified Professional (or MCP) qualification isn’t simply one program however; it is a buffet of various certification courses and exams that one can take. What’s more, there are specific certifications for different areas, each possessing subcategories of additional cert offerings:

MCSE – Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

MCSA – Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator

MCAD – Microsoft Certified Application Developer

MCSD – Microsoft Certified Solution Developer

MCDBA – Microsoft Certified Database Administrator

MCDST – Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician

MOS – Microsoft Office Specialist

MCAS – Microsoft Certified Application Specialist

MCT – Microsoft Certified Trainer

Naturally, more certification programs are being added all the time (in order to keep up with growth and various changes in the industry), however these are the well-established exams.

Anyone who passes one or more exams in the various categories (or subcategories) will not only have that particular merit to their name, but they’ll also be working toward achieving even greater distinctions, like:

MCM – Microsoft Certified Master

MCITP – Microsoft Certified IT Professional

MCA – Microsoft Certified Architect

MCPD – Microsoft Certified Professional Developer

MCTS – Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist

As you might expect, individuals with the aforementioned certifications are generally in high demand by potential employers. Moreover, the sort of companies that are interested in people with MCM, MCITP, MCA, MCPD, or MCTS qualifications are generally involved in more advanced work (and their respective proposed salaries should reflect this as well).

Those who are seeking any type of MCP cert tend to be interested in both ‘climbing the corporate ladder’ as well as long-term job security. In other words, a Microsoft Certified Professional is the type of person who is interested in progressing their career and abilities through a program that contains several unique pathways toward mastery. For instance, the MCITP, MCPD, and MCTS pathways all require different prerequisites. MCITP is the most lax, only requiring one upgrade from either MCDST or MCDBA. Next there is MCPD, which requires either one or two exams be completed prior to taking on the cert; various combinations of MCAD/MCSD to MCPD. Lastly there is MCTS, which offers 5 unique upgrade pathways for prospective professionals to choose from; in any case either a MCITP or MCPD is required.

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Still not convinced or interested? Well, according to information gathered via mcpmag.com, a typical Microsoft Certified Professional starts at a base salary of around $80,000 (USD), and will receive up to around $3,000 in bonus funds per year. This comes on top of raises ($2k annually) and other perks, of course. There is perhaps one caveat however; most MCP’s tend to have at least a decade’s worth of experience to their credit. In other words, if you’re just embarking on an IT career working toward an MCP is definitely a solid long-term goal. Likewise, if you’re already well-established, it’s probably time to consider reaching out to become an MCP (for various reasons). Those who have been dedicated to their job(s) for years will find that an MCP will open new doors for them as well as help to secure their position and garner the rewards they so richly deserve.  

Why Cloud Computing & Mobile devices are unavoidably connected

In many ways, the Cloud Computing revolution is in full swing and has captured most of the population, they just don’t realize it yet. When a person picks up a mobile device today, chances are, it’s simply driving applications which are remotely positioned. In other words, its utilizing cloud computing. Today’s mobile devices are not hardware, storage or memory intensive; they mostly function as portals for connecting to online assets and resources.

While Cloud Computing and mobile device technologies are definitely connected becoming increasingly “connected at the hip”, they’re also both on the rise. According to Gartner researchers:

“Cloud computing is expected to grow 19% in 2012, becoming a $109 billion industry…”

We’ve actually seen this unfold before our eyes in a fairly evident way haven’t we? But what about growth in the near future; how does that look? Well, from the same Gartner release we have this statement:

“By 2016, it’s expected to be a $207 billion industry…”

The bottom line is that, by all measured accounts, most analyst firms are seeing the current growth in the cloud computing market nearly doubling in just a few years. Now, when we compare and contrast this information with what’s going on in the mobile world it’s clear that there are some similarities. According to Sandy Shen, a research director at Gartner:

“We expect global mobile transaction volume and value to average 42 percent annual growth between 2011 and 2016, and we are forecasting a market worth $617 billion with 448 million users by 2016,”

Clearly, there are some big name organizations which have already calculated the growth curve in the mobile industry and are acting accordingly. Likewise the use of mobile payments is projected to skyrocket in the coming years; which will add yet another layer of potential as far as online services are concerned.

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How is the mobile industry connected to cloud computing, exactly? Well, most tablets and smartphones already use cloud drive systems or online apps/storage to provide a better web experience. Simply put, most of today’s devices simply don’t have the storage capability of self-contained PC’s. For example, Microsoft is moving toward cloud versions of their flagship products like Office, and most of us (on the planet) already use Google-based apps and services (Youtube, Gmail, etc…) to drive our online activities. A dense and highly functional cloud infrastructure already exists which most of us are plugging into every single day.

When it comes to mobile devices and utilizing these cloud technologies, it’s only a matter of time until the total numbers of users explodes. Moreover, once we see a few big booms or run ups in the mobile markets the entire industry dynamic will likely change as well. It’s really just common sense; if more people are buying mobile devices there will be more demand. More demand means more competition, which loosely translates into the costs associated with mobile devices falling. Additionally, once the prices fall to a certain level it will likely trigger a “feeding frenzy” and greatly expand the number of active mobile devices in circulation.

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While the mobile sector is growing, so too will cloud computing continue to expand. However, when it comes to the cloud, it isn’t going to be so “cut and dry”. Simply put, cloud computing is a dynamic technology which not only solves problems but has the potential to make many current conundrums obsolete. For instance, one of the biggest problems facing the world today is data proliferation (otherwise known as BIG data). Cloud computing is emerging as a dynamic force in the world of BIG data, and is being prepped to assist in analyzing and breaking down impossibly large pools of information with its seemingly endless resources.  

When it comes to utilizing cloud technologies in tandem with mobile devices, you won’t find more suitable companions. Many experts for example are predicting a sharp fall in the total number of people who own and use personal computers. The idea is that as the capabilities of mobile devices rise, a greater percentage of people will opt to use them instead of larger, self-contained systems. From a logical standpoint, this makes sense, and because we’re also seeing cloud computing resources rapidly expanding, it’s also safe to assume that they might be used to help drive mobile consumer computing as well. In fact, there really isn’t any other sector even capable of servicing the coming increase in mobile computing; without some form of cloud computing / remote access, most mobile devices are little more than flashlights. 

A closer look at the finer points of the CCNA certification

First off, the CCNA certification program is designed to train individuals to deal with medium-sized networks. This basically means that a person with this certification can essentially install, configure, utilize, and repair networks of moderate size. Naturally, those who complete a CCNA cert program are prepared to take on a career with Cisco, but that doesn’t mean that you’re limited to opportunities with them. A large number of companies with extensive IT assets see the CCNA certification as an ‘indicator of competence’.

As with any certification, the ultimate purpose shouldn’t be to merely add another few intriguing qualifications to your resume’, the real goal should be to add information and experience to one’s skill set. In many ways, all of Cisco’s cert programs promote this type of practical mindset, particularly the CCNA. Since these courses / exams are relatively short, they can be obtained with relative ease, but the information lurking around inside of them isn’t necessarily as easily absorbed by everyone. In other words, you really need some solid preparatory materials if you’re going to going to get your CCNA and actually comprehend what that entails.

Additionally, most people probably aren’t aware of the fact that CCNA certifications have a 3-year limit attached to them. There are various reasons why this restriction exists, the constant influx of technological growth and renewal (in terms of hardware and software) being one of them. Simply put, a lot can change in the course of a 3 year period, and it often does; for example, over the last 3 years we’ve seen a cloud computing explosion which is changing the rules for most networking specialists.

The actual CCNA exam itself consists of a written test which applicants are given 90 minutes to complete. The exam itself consists of questions derived from elements of WAN / LAN design (as well as WLAN / VLAN) and delves into network security management along with routing protocols, IP addressing and other important matters. In addition, there aren’t any prerequisites for the CCNA exam, but there are certain programs like the CCENT which are designed to function as introduction-level courses. Prospective CCNA students should already possess some form of experience or training if they really want to get the most out of their certification.

Perhaps the biggest question on people’s minds is, “why do I need a CCNA?”  In all honesty there are several good reasons why an IT pro should consider this certification, knowledge base expansion being only one example. For those IT employees (particularly managers) who have been at it for years and might be ready to ask their employers for a raise, a CCNA cert is an excellent bargaining chip of sorts. In short, it’s an immediate way to prove to your superiors that you’re still ‘in the game’ when it comes to modern networking practices.

Likewise, if you’re relatively new to the IT job market, having a CCNA is an excellent way to ‘separate yourself from the rest of the pack’, so to speak. Furthermore, a CCNA might allow you to push yourself in ways that not only fill in any gaps in your overall understanding of networks, but also to improve upon basic designs. In other words, for those who are routinely tasked with coming up with creative networking solutions, a CCNA can act as both a refresher course as well as a means of reevaluating one’s general approaches to networking in general.

CCNA certification isn’t limited to internal IT personnel either; project managers and even salespeople should consider exploring what it has to offer. For instance, if project manager routinely relies on IT networks in terms of capabilities and communication, it is perhaps in their best interest to gain a greater grasp of how these components function. Some of the more intuitive project managers could even use the knowledge they gain from a CCNA cert to improve their department’s productivity as well as capabilities (definitely a valuable asset).

Salespeople who deal in networking hardware/software/services should also strongly consider taking a CCNA course. This would allow them to not only gain a better understanding of their product line(s), but also help them create more applicable, sensible sales strategies. IT managers and network administrators (or those who are seeking these positions) are certainly among the most likely candidates for CCNA certification though.  

What’s the difference between Enterprise Architecture & SOA?

The growing importance of Enterprise Architecture has cast a new light of scrutiny on SOA (Service Oriented Architecture). Businesses are increasingly finding themselves utilizing both approaches to organization and planning these days, often at the same time. Naturally, given that EA and SOA are so closely related in terms of scope, it can get a little bit confusing when it comes to defining their respective roles. Enterprise Architecture and SOA

In a nutshell; Enterprise Architecture tends to deal with the entire scope, or umbrella of concerns, facing a business. Basically, with EA, the goal is to align strategies and use of resources with that of long-term vision (and perhaps the overall mission of the organization itself). What’s interesting about EA is that it can encapsulate not just analysis of a business’ operating structure and layout, but also the use of IT resources as well. An Enterprise Architect’s job is to use all the tools available to conduct a thorough analysis of the entire business process, afterwards of course, modifications can be made based on the findings.

SOA (or Service-Oriented Architecture) on the other hand, is used in various ways. For example, SOA might be used to establish software design protocols, enable communications / services, linking together resources / services, and simply maintaining a more useful IT infrastructure in general. A Service-Oriented Architect might spend most of their time orchestrating the layout of a cloud computing system, or perhaps putting standards in place which help to ensure that current components are functional (as well as anything new which might be added at any time).

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Understandably, EA and SOA tend to overlap in certain places; which can cause problems if not properly addressed. For instance, EA governance will cover the business, application, technology and informational architectures, while SOA is chiefly concerned with IT and the technological aspects of a business. Given Enterprise Architecture’s all-encompassing influence, problems can arise if / when the goals and strategies of SOA are in direct opposition (with those of EA). The bottom line is that those involved in EA need to always remain in constant contact (if possible) with the individuals working in SOA. Most Service-Oriented Architects spend their time dealing with software-related issues and don’t usually have the larger goals or problems of the business on their mind; it is up to the Enterprise Architect to provide direction in most cases.

The basic relationship between EA and SOA is very similar to the connection between a general contractor (who helps to design a structure and perhaps physically build it) and electricians / plumbers. In other words, the Enterprise Architect has to contemplate the basic design from the standpoint of strength, functionality and placement of resources, while the Service-Oriented Architect’s job is to bring specific services (utilities) online and ensure their operation. In most cases, SOA is used to build a better IT organization, while EA is much broader and covers virtually all levels / layers of the business process and approach to technology in general.

Interestingly enough (and according to some new stats gathered by various research groups), it appears that there might not be enough EA or SOA specialists to go around. Despite the fact that businesses are coming to rely heavily on the skills of Enterprise as well as Service-Oriented Architects, we are experiencing a shortfall when it comes to actual placement. Needless to say, this presents a monumental opportunity for prospective individuals (both inside and outside of the IT community). Understandably, those who have a more extensive background in IT as well as business will be more suited toward fulfilling the role of an Enterprise Architect. Likewise, individuals that only understand and deal with IT issues might be better suited to SOA.

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So, what’s the difference between EA and SOA? Once again, it’s the scope and use of these very similar architectures which truly define them. Enterprise Architecture is like the OS which organizes, drives everything, and provides stability to the entire machine. SOA on the other hand, is akin to a browser OS, which can be used to deliver and manage new services and apps. Both systems of control are needed in order to ensure that a business operation is fundamentally sound from an operational standpoint as well as a technological one.