Writing frequency

2 Replies Christopher Roberts

Today I pose a question: is it possible to blog on a daily basis?

It is easy to ‘scrape’ content on a daily basis, but can you write and publish a really good post every day? Jonny seems to have publishing weekly down to a tee, every week we get something new and thought provoking. 4 to 5 posts each month, every month.

I have a more erratic style of publishing, 2 posts in January, 5 in December, 1 in November, 3 in October, 5 in September, none in August – you get the picture.

I like to spend a lot of time on articles. I usually do a lot of research and background reading to try and put together an interesting, factually sound piece of work. I am a little bit of a perfectionist, which is sometimes really good, but it can be annoying. If I care about something, I like to put a lot of work into it. I care for this blog, so I want every post to be really good. Not every post I publish has or will be really good. I need to face the facts.

So, I as I am writing this I am setting myself a challenge. Write an article at least once a week and hit publish. No faffing around, just write a post and publish it every Monday.

A blog needs posts. I need to be consistent.

See you next Monday.

Over and out.

The rise of remote software

Leave a reply Nancy Evans

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In the modern era, businesses must adapt to market conditions in order to sustain their profitability. Optimization is achieved through conservation of time, budget and human resource. Enterprises can thrive by the input of information systems that consist of various components such as data mining, remote software usage and business utility tools.

Such an impetus not only allows existent businesses to prosper, but also allows emerging enterprises to profit from technological intervention. A good example in this regard is that of Geometry Information Systems, which is pushing space scientists to enter the business market. The system is focused on planetary mapping, remote sensing and data mining.

Business Process Optimization

System administration
Modern businesses have a prerequisite of strong IT driven systems. Remote systems aid the management process of ‘system administration’.

This is because system administration is concerned with relaying information, and can be a major time constraint. A remote system allows one system admin to manage even hundred computer systems in distant offices.

Interconnectivity
Global broadband connections mapBusinesses utilize interconnectivity for effective communication, but it can be a challenge as well. Effective interconnectivity is made possible through remote connectivity.

The expansion of communication means that the enterprise needs to be in contact with more people than before. Telecommuters, who work remote from anywhere, serve as a communication conduit.

Consumer engagement
Consumer engagement and remote support are directly proportional. The Accenture Global Consumer Survey indicates that retention of customers has become difficult owing to the multiple options they have. More than 65% of the consumers agreed that they tend to change services when they are not satisfied with the communication feedback. In such models, the communication has to be instantaneous and, more importantly, useful.

Remote support means that the client engagement is conducted in a rapid manner without spending extra on human resources. Since the communication can be engaged from any digital interface, travel costs are also reduced.

Outsource service management
The current business model relies a lot of outsource services. And software is necessary to create efficient systems that don’t require extra man power. A study model suggests that outsourcing within businesses and IT tools, such as remote software, allow optimal profit.

The idea is that non-core businesses can be outsourced, while core businesses can remain in contact with non-core using a remote control solution. Such a model also enhances the ‘technology ability’ of a company, which is an important indicator for many businesses.

Increasing value of human resource
Usage of remote systems allows enterprises to improve the quality of their human resource without extra cost. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development has generated a good model with their ‘Business Ecosystems Training’ program.

Programs such as these allow businesses to up-to-date their employees on latest technological improvement on a remote basis. Furthermore, the sense of sustainable profitability is also inculcated in employees, increasing their value. Such initiatives have been taken by the likes of Monsanto, an agriculture technology giant.

Remote systems are increasingly impacting business activities. Their usage allows not only a competitive edge but also helps businesses enhance the quality of their services. By maintaining a smoothly functioning communication management infrastructure, over time the profitability of the business is also enhanced.

Alternative Food Provisioning Networks

4 Replies Jonny Hankins

As a continuation of my food series, I would like to take a look at alternative food provisioning networks, via a review of Italian anthropologist Cristina Grasseni’s new book ‘Beyond Alternative Food Networks’. The book describes strategies used by groups to avoid interaction with the industrialized food mechanism, much of which I have debated in the other posts in the series.

Beyond Alternative Food Networks

Beyond Alternative Food Networks

Grasseni’s book gives an account of the inner workings of Italy’s solidarity purchase groups. These groups are informal collections of families, working together to procure food and other products from mainly local producers in order to reclaim sovereignty over their purchasing.

The model is extremely innovative, both in terms of its positive health and social benefits and financial implications. Groups make agreements with local farmers to buy their produce in return for guarantees regarding production processes (organic, tax paid, worker’s rights etc). The producer benefits because they can sell their produce directly to the consumer, and so is not held hostage by distributors and retailers. The consumer gains because they know who has produced their product, how, where and under which conditions. Group members can buy hygiene and baby products, detergents and a range of household goods through the network, offering a source of income to specialist socially and environmentally friendly producers.

Although this system might sound like a Utopian fringe, Grasseni points out that the groups spend about 80 million Euro a year in Italy alone (about $110 million), in effect moving this sum from the regular economy into this more direct exchange. The number of groups is in rapid expansion and has led to the creation of networks of groups, national conferences and organizations and even the creation of ‘districts of solidarity economies’.

The book argues that this alternative economics structure is trust based, with all parties within the transaction knowing and directly relating with the others. Several organizations work entirely within the structure providing goods only for the groups. The following examples of the dairy and the shoemaker really show the potential of the model.

In 2009 a local dairy farmer converted to organic production in order to supply these groups. This involved downsizing and specialization, but several years later the farm found itself in financial difficulty. Members of the groups ran an email campaign and in about a month raised 150 000 Euro (more than $200 000) to bail the dairy out. The money was passed on, the dairy survived and now produces milk and cheese for the very same groups that saved it. With the banks no longer involved, the farmer can sell the produce at retail prices directly to the groups and make enough money to live and repay the initial bailout loan.

The story of the shoemaker is similar. After being forced into downsizing the shoemaker was left with capability but little market. He withdrew from the mainstream economy and now provides made to measure shoes through the network. There is a traveling catalog, so once found you can choose a style and size and order your new shoes that then arrive through the post. They are also sold through a network of non profit organizations that have relationships with the groups.

This book certainly leads the reader into a new way of thinking about food production. The cover contains a quote from Peter Utting, Deputy Director of the united Nations Research Institute for Social Development. He states that “Grasseni provides fascinating insights into how alternative approaches to food provisioning can transform social and economic relationships in ways that bode well for contemporary global challenges of sustainability, social justice and rebuilding human relations built on trust”.

If you would like to learn more about these alternative approaches, take a look at the following links:

Rete Gas is the Italian national GAS network.

The Food Alergy and Anaphylaxis Network has a dedicated page.

The Grassroots Innovation website also has plenty of information.

Beyond Alternative Food Networks by Cristina Grasseni is published by Bloomsbury and available through Amazon via the link above.

I would like to add that although this review is not paid, I do know the author very well. I am also a GAS member.