Leadership in Database Management

It has been my experience that many organizations struggle to ensure that the industry knowledge, research, data, and gained experience resident in their staff are fully accessible and documented. No matter the format – database, document, spreadsheet, presentation, email, or sticky note – this issue is pervasive in many of our organizations.

While the number of records in a database is a variable, the foundation for good data quality is the same no matter the size. Data is collected for one main reason – action. What those actions are will determine database design but again, the core of how to successfully collect, review, and act upon the data is relatively standard across purposes.

Most definitely, there are a wide assortment of tools that can be applied to maximize the opportunity to:

1) INPUT – Accurately collect and process required information from a range of sources
2) ANALYZE - Systematically and objectively compare this data
3) REPORT/USE - Use in such a way that activities can be quickly and effectively implemented, and can be revisited and re-evaluated as the business environment changes

However, one cannot remove the human aspect - the people who input, analyze, review, use, support, and decide upon the data. Thus, the processes, procedures, and training cannot be forgotten in any database design, database management, and data assurance projects and programs. Tools are extremely helpful but for quality and continued success, your people need as much focus as what tools are selected. Thus, process, procedure, training, and compliance reporting is vital to any database management and data assurance program.

Simple and practical data management methods and tools can be applied to any organization in any department to have quality control over the above events. I have provided you some ideas on how I typically assist clients with data management and assurance strategies.

**Data Back-Up**

Before any analysis, review, decision, or action activities begin, the Back-Up and Restore policies, procedures, and activities are reviewed for thoroughness, accuracy, compliance, and success. A successful back-up is completed, a restore is successful, and the entire process is reviewed for quality.

**Systems Analysis**

Review your system for collecting, organizing, reviewing/reporting/use, and decision making. If a data management system does not do or is not used for all four purposes, “Houston, there is a problem”. Report all findings, create a simple architectural diagram of the current data management system, and provide suggestions for improvement or changes.

**Data Integrity Review and Analysis**

Ensure that the data is collected correctly and there are processes in place to ensure that data is being captured in a logical sequence of events. Review the “input process” to ensure that there is compliance with mandatory field input and there are duplication preventions and checks. Review the "outputs" to ensure the information is being captured correctly.

**Data Clean-Up**

If data clean-up is required, have an expert fully manage this project. An experienced data integrity person knows what they are looking for, how to pull information, and how to clean data efficiently and securely. This is tedious work that requires a lot of attention and dedication. The person needs to be detailed oriented, meticulous and extremely careful. You want to ensure that there is a successful back-up and the ability to restore because in many cases, if you clean the wrong thing, the data is lost without a back-up. This is not for the faint of heart but it vital to the success of the overall data project.

**System Utilization Process Development**

Once the review, analysis and data integrity work is completed, the organization should ensure that the data stays clean and data entry is done correctly in a timely, quality, and effective manner. You must develop a workable and easy to follow process flow and documentation for these purposes. Train your employees. Ensure that outside data sources comply to your data assurance processes and procedures. Whatever quality checking process you decide - tool or manual - you must make sure that data is in compliance before entering it into the database. Train your employees. Train your... oh, I guess I said that enough!

**Data Analysis and Reporting**

The accurate output from a database is critical. Data is not valuable unless it is accurately stored, reviewed, and used for appropriate activities and decision making purposes. For your database to be useful, you must fully trust the validity of the data. Reporting and providing the right information and outputs and successfully cutting the data into usable chunks of information is vital for any system Return on Investment. Ensure that you have data integrity reports created for continual review and response. Make sure you have someone have the role and responsibility for reviewing for and managing the resolution of data integrity issues.

Personal Branding within your Organization

I was recently asked two really great questions about "personal branding within the organization" and I thought I would share them and my responses. Please respond to this post with your thoughts and answers to these questions. Looking forward to hearing from you!

1. What are the top three strategies/tactics you've used to make yourself stand out from everyone else in the organization?

a. Skill and Capability – I mold and craft my skills daily by ferociously reading, actively problem solving, talking with my network, and writing articles. I keep up to date by joining professional associations, reading trade newsletters, blogs, and magazines, trying new things, experiencing new philosophies, and working with people who have different points of view in order to keep my skills/capabilities fresh and relevant.

b. Job Training - Whenever I accept a new job, I study, research, and talk with my network in order to quickly become an expert in the roles and responsibilities I have. I actually read the employee handbook and company intranet (if they have one) and will take that project on sometime in my tenure if they don’t. I become knowledgeable about each department, their roles/responsibilities, and if they are an input/output of my team. I learn the philosophy of the organization and work to meld my talents and personality to support it. Basically, I get to know where I work, how I need to work, and why am here to work.

c. Know thy Self - My career philosophy has been to Take the Road Less Taken derived from my favorite poem - Robert Frost's The Road Less Taken**. My career has been formed by taking on the difficult task and successfully completing it. There is always something that a company has been dreading doing because no one internally wants to take it on for one reason or another - typically because it is a very political issue and most likely a career ender at that company. People who know me know I will take it on, understand the situation quickly, form the team, do the work, solve the problem, and move on to the next big challenge.

The point is that people need to know where their sweet spot is in order to best serve their company.

• If you are a change agent, be that.
• If you are a 9 to 5 worker, do that.
• If you are a turn-around manager, live that.

If you aren't doing what you are meant to do via talent, skill, experience, andpassion, you are not being the best you can be for your company or self.

2) What have you seen someone do in an organization that caught your attention... and which elevated the doer in your esteem?

a. Help - A person going out of their way to help you accomplish your task. It is the greatest thing when you are in the midst of a tough issue and someone comes in and says, “how can I help?” WOW.

b. Morale Builder - A person who works hard on building up morale - keeping people charged up with their spirits high especially when times are tough.

c. Loyalty – a person or a team who will work with you side-by-side to solve the problem, not get mired in the past, and looks forward with you.

**The Road Less Taken – Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I

—I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

"Failure" is a Real Word and Exists

It is time that people understand that there is a thing called “Failure”. When a company fails, the CEO, senior leadership, and the Boards need to be held responsible by shareholders and the market for their failed leadership. The penalty needs to be quick and severe.

We have taught each other that “failure” doesn’t exist anymore. From kindergarten to the Board Room, we coddle and give group hugs to people who have been “success challenged”. This is ridiculous and has marginalized the talent pool. It is a fact that there is a consequence to failure and we need to bring this lesson back. We are experiencing the outcome of this “no such thing as a failure” philosophy today and will be for the next several years.

But there is some work to do especially in the business sector. Executive employment contracts need to stop looking like the NFL quarterback contracts (5-10 year terms, massive buy-outs if they become free agents before end of term no matter the reason for leaving) and start looking like a normal employment contract (if you do your job, you stay – if you don’t, you are fired). If the CEO fails at his job by causing one of the largest company in the world to seek bankruptcy or government bailout, shareholders should be allowed to show him the door NOW without worrying about doling out additional compensation, contract buy-outs, and assorted bonuses - null and void.

We need to fix this failed philosophy – starting with the consumer. We, as a whole, are at fault for not being aware, learned, and conscious of what is going on in the financial markets. We are all affected financially by no-talents, failed leadership, unethical products, and awful employment contracts. This current financial debacle is everyone’s failure – from top to bottom – and we need to remember this so we don’t allow it to happen again. Let's get comfortable with "failure" because we are going to see a lot more of it unless we change the way we do things.

Our Leadership during Economic Crisis

With regards to our current economic crisis, I do not believe this is a government issue – this is a market intelligence issue.

We, the market, weren’t the watchdogs as we need to be. Our consumer leadership has been absent for years and I hope we learn something from this debacle. We need to look deeply into our own actions and make serious changes in how we participate in the marketplace. We cannot remove ourselves from our responsibilities and expect other people or entities to take care of our best interests.

Shareholders need to take their responsibilities as voters for Board Members more seriously. The board room is where the true decision-making of the Fortune 1000 happens and we know very little about their credentials as a whole. I believe we have allowed ourselves to advocate our responsibilities because mutual funds and 401Ks remove us from the responsibility of knowing the details of our investment portfolio. Does this sound wise?

Remember, we are a capitalist society. These companies which are failing and going under are public – and it is a risk to invest in anything. Shareholders are the ultimate decision-makers whether a public company succeeds or fails. Thus WE need to own up to our responsibilities in the process.

What is not needed is government intervention – it requires market intervention and accepting that we all have to take our lumps on this.

Leadership - Legacy, Courage, Honor, Inspiration, and Truth

In 2003, while working for Thomson Prometric in Baltimore, MD, I was afforded an opportunity to go to a lecture given by Coretta Scott King. I thought I would share with you my journal notes from that lecture. I have also included the intro I wrote to the King Center when I forwarded the journal entry to them.

Many important life lessons were taught in that lecture. As I wrote in my notes, “Our Mission is stated clearly - We are here to honor Women of Inspiration and Courage. Powerful words are repeated: Legacy, Courage, Honor, Inspiration, and Truth. ” I think you will find out that I was deeply moved and inspired by what was said in two hours and I have carried those two hours with me ever since.

After completing the journal entry from the King lecture, I sent them to all of my peers and friends. While they weren’t there to experience the thrill first hand, they were really grateful to share what they could with me.

THE CHALLENGE: I encourage everyone to make an effort to attend a special lecture this year. Go with the purpose to write a letter to that person after the lecture telling them what you learned, felt, sensed, and how you will apply the learned lessons to your life. When you do, I also encourage you to share your notes with everyone. We can all learn from each other.

____________________________________________________
March 2003

Dear King Center Personnel –

My name is Kate Pynn and I work for Prometric, Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland. The women in our company were afforded an excellent experience via our CEO, Michael Brannick to attend the SmartTalk Women’s Lecture Series at the Joseph Myerhoff Symphony Hall. SmartTalk Women's Lecture Series is a five-part lecture series designed to inspire, challenge and enlighten anyone with a strong desire to learn from the personal experiences of accomplished and distinguished women.

Five groups of four accomplished women in Prometric were selected to attend and journal our thoughts at the five lectures given by Lily Tomlin, Coretta Scott King, Ann Richards, Marlee Matlin, and Janet Reno. I was selected to attend Coretta Scott King’s lecture and I believe it was providence that she was the person I was to hear that evening.

I, as is Mrs. King, am a graduate of Antioch University in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Through my coursework and surroundings, I have been well versed in the history of Mrs. King. She is a leader in the style I appreciate and I have tried to match her commitment and passion in many ways throughout my career. However, it was obvious to me during her lecture that I had much more to learn about this wonderful woman and her place in history.

My journal notes are documented below and, as you might be able to tell, I was completely inspired to write my hearts feelings and passions. I also felt compelled to send this to you and your staff so you would know how much the public appreciates your leader, your work, and your individual efforts. While I don’t agree with all of the policies, I truly believe in the central message of the King family’s work.

Thank you so much for your contributions, your love, and your passion. As I am sure you marvel at every day, it is a pleasure to have such an incredible example for inspiration in your midst.


*****************************************************************************************************


Four women from Prometric enter Orchestra Right. The walk to the front of the hall allows us to take in the beauty of the Myerhoff. How grand.

Rounded Corners. Soft lighting. Chatter, laughter, sounds of friends welcoming friends. Old friends meeting again and introductions to new friends are all around our seats. Sharing travels, parking lot woes, and city snow experiences. There are agreements and disagreements but respectful discussions.

Soft velvet purple light shining on a pale wood stage. Grand piano- well worn, well loved. Majestic choir enters Stage Left - shiny gold and royal purple robed members float in and make their way to Stage Center. Crowd stills to quiet anticipation of gospel sounds. Not aware yet of what we will see, what we will hear, what we will experience on this stage tonight. Choir awaits their cue from their Choir Master.

An announcer quiets the audience. Soft clapping. Polite, not enthusiastic.

A speaker enters Stage Right. A welcome. Our Mission is stated clearly - We are here to honor Women of Inspiration and Courage. Powerful words are repeated: Legacy, Courage, Honor, Inspiration, and Truth. Meaningful descriptions are provided: Passion for work, strong religious beliefs, and love for music.

Music - Not what you immediately think about when you hear the name King. However, Coretta Scott King studied to be a professional singer and musician. It is one of her passions. We will hear words from her about finding and maintaining your own passion in moments to come.

Honored to be part of Mrs. King's lecture and fulfilling one of her joys, the Choir Master stands and glides to Stage Center. Raising his hands, he directs the pianist to start the introduction to The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Audience starts to nod their heads in recognition. Classic. Powerful. Moving. Passionate.

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored,
He has loosed the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

Fifty or so Choir People in absolute perfect Harmony. Completely Synced. Total TEAM WORK. Chills run down spines as two soloists perform tight harmonies. The Choir Master directs them to slow down so their beautiful song lasts. One thousand sets of eyes ask them to "Make the song last - I am feeling inspired - Make that feeling last". Ah - PERFECTION.

As the Hymn ends, the audience claps with intense appreciation. Some rise to their feet. The Choir Master is happy - pleased with the performance. He acknowledges the Choir and the Pianist, for it would be nothing without them. And they acknowledge the Choir Master, for it would be nothing without him. Ultimate Team Performance.

A whisper arises - we want more. And we are given our wish. It is a deeply religious song. It was written when life was sometimes unbearable and always hard but somehow people found joy - in themselves, their family, their history, and their faith. God will be there with you through it all and will stand with you at your day of reckoning. Last word of the prayer-like song is repeated three times - deep symbolism. Joy.... JOy... JOY!

Choir exits Stage Left with enthusiastic clapping and calls of encouragement. And then Mrs. King enters Stage Right.

The Audience, as one, rises. We stand for her accomplishments, her legacy, and the immensity of the History she represents. She changed the world. She was part of meaning and depth of feeling. She was part of creating a Philosophy. She was King.

She is unassuming. Neither a powerful nor a dynamic speaker. She is Everyman- standing up for her beliefs. A true steward of humanity. She thanks everyone connected with the success of the lecture series. It is a great lesson she teaches in a subtle way - always remember to thank everyone for his or her involvement - no matter how big or small.

She speaks about how societal "Definition" can never encompass all that she has to offer human kind or herself. She is Complex. She is all the definitions and more. And she has Dreams of her own as well as the ones she shares with her husband. She is still on a Journey and she has ups and downs like everyone else. But she also believes in Hard Work. It is a life-long work ethic that is earth-bound and is surrounded by family teachings - forgiveness, sharing, and unconditional LOVE.

Central to growing up in segregation and a racist environment, the question that all children eventually ask is "WHY". And the answer she got from her Mother when she asked that loaded question was not accusatory, not complaining. It was a life-long lesson - You are equal. You are a good person. Make sure you become educated. Make sure you can take care of yourself. Make sure you can stand on your own feet. Do not depend on anyone to make yourself feel good about you.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

It takes long hours and many sacrifices to make life better - for yourself, for your children, for your community, for your country, for the world. But the desire for this betterment is common to most families, to most communities. Stories abound of the past highlighting the dreams for the future - Thousands of hours of hard work were spent during the one-year Bus Boycott in Alabama. While it was hard and difficult and frightening at times, it was enjoyable because of the community, the shared sacrifice, and the knowledge that life would be better at the end.

"We must beat HATE with LOVE" - MLK, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. set the tone for the civil rights movement with his speech on his front porch after his house had been bombed. His wife and children were at risk, being threatened with death. But he looked at the future. He looked toward the long journey ahead and knew that a no retaliation and no violence message was the path he had to follow and his calling to lead people down that path with him was strong. While violence was all around them, the Kings took a non-violent stance believing it was a powerful tool for humanity.

Through a single success in Montgomery Alabama, there became a tidal wave of successes. However, even with those successes, there were extreme tragedies and failures. The setbacks were emotional, heartbreaking, and horrifying but through it all, the faith never swayed from the cause and the human and spirit sacrifices were vindicated with the end of segregation and the start of equality in America.

Mrs. King taught another lesson - Always strive to find a balance between your work, your own life and your family. For women especially, there are so many responsibilities and so little time but all of it has to be done so you do it. Depend on your friends and family for support and help. She relied heavily on her community after the assassination of her husband. And the community relies heavily on her in their times of need. You must give of yourself for others to give of themselves.

"Unconditional Love is the most healing force on earth. Love is not just how to make a better world, it is the only way."
- Coretta Scott King

Mrs. King is deeply passionate about many political causes - universal health care, gun control, ending the death penalty, encouraging women to find empowerment through entering public service in policy making positions, and affirmative action. No matter what the personal affiliations, politics, and beliefs are, the audience listened to the message - accept all people from all walks of life. Unconditional Love. Love.

The lecture ends with people rising from the seats again with enlightened hearts and inspired souls. But the series is not over. An interviewer offers Mrs. King a chair on stage to answer a couple questions from the audience. Most questions were focused around her thoughts on the impending war with Iraq. As expected, through the philosophy of non-violence, she is against the war. Again, the message is sent and received even if there is a difference of thought regarding the topic - love is the way. It is the answer. Persistence is everything - never give up on your principles, your beliefs, and your true passion.

There was another question - Is MLK's Birthday too commercialized? Resounding NO. Thousands of hours have been logged on that day - it is a day of service. But there is so much to be done. While some corporations do acknowledge the date with a day of service, the majority is still slow to respond. The MLK Foundation assists companies to solute GREATNESS in employees by their activities and volunteer work in their communities. They encourage improving the quality of life for all.

Last question – Does Mrs. King reflect on the past? Smiles. Obvious scenes of her life pass in a flick of the moment. There are always moments of reflection for Mrs. King. There is so far to go but you still have to feel good about how far you have come. Another fantastic lesson - always look for the points of success to encourage you to continue towards more success. Take a moment of pride in the work that has been done, even if the journey has not yet been completed.

Another lesson soon comes - Always remember from where you came. Look at your lifetime's milestones. Remember history - yours, your community's, your country's, and the world's - because the lessons learned by others can help you save time and effort in reaching your goals.

Then another - Never be bitter. Always give of yourself. Always love your fellow man. Be happy as much as you can because there are always days that will cause you grief and you need to sustain yourself with as many happy days as possible.

Then came the big lesson - Have a healthy sense of you. Have encouraging people around you and don't worry about people who are not encouraging.

Eventually, there were final thoughts because time passes quickly. She said - don't be remembered by awards. Be remembered by being loving, giving back, changing the world through love. Be grateful. Be a motivation to others.

Be a King.

Election Time Leadership - Part 1

All voters need to be well informed about the candidates and not be swayed by history-making events. While I am personally excited that with either party, this country is making powerful and positive moves forward in cultural history, I feel very strongly that people need to study, read, and listen closely to policies, tactics, and strategies of the candidates. Their differences are enormous and each party’s policies will greatly impact you and this country’s future.

Unfortunately, I hear many people, during this election cycle particularly, making a voting decision on non-policy reasons. I’ve heard it in the past regarding youth, looks, and charisma but nothing like the fever pitch of this election. I don’t mind if candidates use all of their strengths to effectively market themselves (in fact it is foolish if they don’t) but voters ought to have more depth in their choosing process than superficial “look and feel” qualities. It’s okay when you are buying a sweater but not when choosing the President/Vice President of the USA.

Another disturbing item I am hearing is folks deciding on a candidate due to one issue which has a morale or social change focus. Most morale and social issues we take to the government to solve were not intended to be taken there for management and control. Our Government was not designed to resolve issues for the individual but for the masses so it is difficult to compromise and negotiate in a satisfactory manner for either side of the argument. We see this in companies all the time – if you bring your personal issue to your manager, you will get personal attention verses addressing the executive staff or HR who will create a policy for the company which may or may not address your particular situation.

Foundational to both parties, and to Presidents specifically, is economics and foreign affairs and there are clear differences in how each party's Executive Branch will manage these issues. In this election, if we are not truly focused on those two issues (not exclusively but they ought to be priority) we are missing the vital aspect of Presidential elections.

As a whole, we don’t seem to really understand which branch of the government is responsible for what. When Senators are candidates, this misunderstanding becomes even more muddied. Many, if not most, of the “changes” Obama and McCain talked about in their convention speeches were not Presidential responsibilities – most of the issues they talked about will be debated, legislated, and decided in the congress and senate or ruled upon by the Supreme Court. Presidents can apply pressure, submit to the congress, and veto but as we have recently seen in the GHW Bush, B Clinton, and G Bush terms, that pressure doesn’t seem to have the same influence as with the WWII to pre-Vietnam Presidents.

Even when Presidents nominate the Justices, once they are in the Supreme Court, we have seen traditionally defined conservatives become liberals and visa versa. Why? Because they are Constitutionalist in nature and assess their judgments based upon past rulings, precedent, and the constitution which may or may not agree with national party politics.

We seem to be in a time of minimizing the complexity of Government because it doesn’t fit into a sound bite. Our cynicism searches for the “conspiracy” in every and all situations. This is being brought into the corporate world, too. Especially since the 70’s, corrupt leaders have been paraded to court (justifiably so) but the millions of ethical and professional leaders haven’t received the same kind of emphasis. The few taint all. I personally would like this changed.

Take the lessons you learned by being a good business leader to the voting booth - listen, learn, study, assess, and review all policies, tactics, and strategies objectively. Talk with others - on all sides - and listen to the details. Focus on what the candidates have direct responsibility for and learn who their closest advisors are.

All aspects of this election needs to be analyzed by each voter because the outcome is one of the most important in our life time.

Team building is not a onetime activity

Several times a year, people ask me for a list of the best team activities for them to use at their next meeting. This request typically causes me to sigh. Here is my philosophy about team building.

Team building is not a onetime activity. It is a learning lifecycle which includes strategy, planning, design, development, training, and continuous care and feed.

Unfortunately, there is not a quick fix to building team environments. Having an one hour activity as a stand-alone exercise is not building community or a team culture in your organization. In fact, it may be doing the exact opposite. If people do not see outcomes or practical usage of training, they shut down and overall morale lowers. They become skeptical and disinterested in participating. They also start to sabotage the activity in order for people to stop giving them. Excuses start popping up such as “I’m too busy to play games”, etc.

You need a plan and coordinated activities as well as follow-through from top down. There need to be tie-ins to personal performance, balanced scorecards, and organizational goals and objectives. It is a tightly woven plan which weaves through everything you do and every interaction with your staff, vendors, members, and constituents.

For example, you create a team building plan for the year. Each activity or exercise works together in harmony and has a flow that builds the team, builds trust, gains personal perspective, increases productivity and quality, and creates a powerful organizational culture.

After each activity/exercise, there is a reinforcement time period which happen in small group discussions. This is where the real team building occurs because the team decides upon the practical usage of the lessons learned within their environment. This needs to be built into the design of the activity/exercise.

The measurement starts immediately – taking a baseline measurement of personnel performance, organizational morale, service quality and satisfaction metrics, and other key performance indicators – and then again about 6 months after the plan began. You then measure every year unless there is a major culture changes such as a new executive director or a significant change in direction.

This ought to be well designed in order for it not to be time-consuming to manage. This is not someone’s fulltime job. It is a job shared by all – executives and staff.

Thus, one exercise is, in my opinion, useless unless part of an overall team building plan.