Manager Training and memories of MTP (Managing Thru People)

July 2017

Long ago and far away, I and others had Intel front-line manager (FLM) training.

Courses: There were online and internal training courses that led to Mgr. paths.  Most were good, some not.  The best thing about the in-person courses was always meeting others as managers and discussing the situations that arose, and getting feedback and new perspectives on your own situations too.

MTP: A bunch of us wanna-be's and actuals went away for a week (to a place with great food!) and worked on how to be a better manager.  This was called "Managing Thru People" (don't snicker! That's the title. I still have the pin and lanyard.)  It really was about how not be an Individual Contributor, and how to do those skills of managing people.  It was a fun and challenging course, especially the project on the last day. The skills are different from being an engineer, and I've always respected those I worked with who were able to pull those off (shout out to you, DanD!)

But then MTP vanished.  And apparently some of the other manager training did too or was curtailed.  I was made aware of that by some recent anonymous posts by an Intel FLM (see references below). Seems like development paths for managers had taken a back seat.

IOPEC unfortunately that vanished a long time back in the early 90's. (IOPEC=Sr. VPs would go once or twice a year and give a 2-3 hour discussion and lecture in person, on how Intel works from their perspective.  AWE-some events for those who could attend them.)

So it was with some interest that I learned of Google's Project Oxygen back in 2009.  It started with the premise that, to paraphrase, "We don't need no stinkin' managers!"

But the actual conclusion they came to was kind of the opposite.  "We do need managers. And what if everyone had a Great Manager?"




Project Oxygen came up with 8 Rules and an upward feedback survey and much more, but I don't know how much they really still use it.  It would be interesting to hear that from inside Google.

The re:Work teams' copies of the Google Guides are a good place to start to get more details, and as a course of self-study.

•  https://rework.withgoogle.com/guides/managers-develop-and-support-managers/steps/review-googles-new-manager-training/

If you want more, well I guess you can Google it! (-:    It's now part of Silicon Valley lore.

• https://www.google.com/search?q=google+project+oxygen

Bottom line: Managing is a different set of skills than you may have been trained for as a technical specialist.  (Chemist, Engineer, Programmer, Machinist, etc.)  Learn to recognize those who are great managers and maybe if they have helped you, and you can learn to help them too.  And if you choose at some point a management path, well get some of those skills solidly under your belt.   Heck, get them under your belt even if you DON'T follow a management career.  They can help you no matter what.  Learning to "Manage Up" is always a useful skill no matter what org you are in.

Cheers, 

--Richard Vireday 

References

• "Rehabilitation" - https://www.thelayoff.com/t/NZoSFt7 - An anonymous FLM's view of his situation in June 2017.

Who is Going to Watch the Government?The Future of Journalism

Watch this video. In spite of the sad reality and the seriousness of the subject matter, this video becomes funnier by the minute...

--Dr. Flywheel

One Large Step for Mankind- the Megaprocessor

In the Summer of 1975 I built my first computer, using TTL logic parts (Small Scale Integration). Though my 9-bit creation was not very useful for practical purposes, I was very proud of my achievement when I finally made it to work and learned a lot from the design and building process. This project, eventually led me to focusing on computer architecture and research computer technology on a more professional basis.

Nowadays that microprocessors are so ubiquitous, very few people actually know how they work. One person made his life goal to bring this knowledge to the masses. James Newman, a Brit living in Cambridge, England committed may years of his life and about $50,000 to build a complete 16-bit computer, made of discrete transistors, resistors, LEDs and other components. The Megacomputer as James refers to his creation, weighs about 500 Kg and consists of 42,400 transistors, 50,500 resistors, 10,500 LEDs, and 272,300 hand-soldered joints. The Megacomputer is a fully functional machine that is running at the whooping clock frequency of 8 KHz while performing 16-bit integer calculations.

For those of you who can appreciate OCD, here is a YouTube video in which James is talking about his creation:

For complete information about the Megaprocessor, refer to this web site:
http://megaprocessor.com/

Have fun.

--Dr. Flywheel

Fun Stuff for Under-employed Minds

It has been a while since the ultimate recycling project, known as Floppotron, demonstrated its capabilities. If you are like me, you will be excited to know that Floppotron 2.0 has just been completed and wow, this is a major upgrade from the original version. To witness the ultimate performance of this marvelous and innovative machine, a product of great ideas and lots of unemployment time, click on the link below.

Floppotron 2.0

Enjoy.

--Dr. Flywheel

Pokemon Go Biz Opportunities for Unemployed Tech Workers

Watching the crowd in a park on a lazy summer evening, stumbling thru looking for Pokemon Go, there seems to be several business opportunities at Gym's and other locations of interest.

• Set up an Ice Cream Stand!
• Set up a Souvenir and Cell Phone Charging Station!
• Fence off the Battle Area, and charge admission.  Be sure to have sufficient security to enforce the perimeters
• Set up an adult bar, adjacent to the kids area

That's just some semi-Legal ideas.  I'm sure there are other more less-legal business opportunities awaiting enterprising individuals.   For instance, what would be the ROI on pickpockets and purse snatchings with such large groups floating by?   And what about the flesh industries?

Go forth, and innovate!

(yours in humor)

It's Summer!

I MATCHED!