Phil Simon

The era of Big Data as arrived, and most organizations are woefully unprepared. Slowly, many are discovering that stalwarts like Excel spreadsheets, KPIs, standard reports, and even traditional business intelligence tools aren't sufficient. These old standbys can't begin to handle today's increasing streams, volumes, and types of data. Amidst all of the chaos, though, a new type of organization is emerging. In The Visual Organization, award-winning author and technology expert Phil Simon looks at how an increasingly number of organizations are embracing new dataviz tools and, more important, a new mind-set based upon data discovery and exploration. Simon adroitly shows how Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Twitter, and other tech heavyweights use powerful data visualization tools to garner fascinating insights into their businesses. But make no mistake: these companies are hardly alone. Organizations of all types, industries, sizes are representing their data in new and amazing ways. As a result, they are asking better questions and making better business decisions. Rife with real-world examples and case studies, The Visual Organization is a full-color tour-de-force.

Data Visualization, Big Data, and the Quest for Better Decisions

The Visual Organization

In Reimagining Collaboration: How Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google Have Redefined Business, award-winning author and recognized technology expert Phil Simon provides this essential framework.

Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and the Post-COVID World of Work

Reimagining Collaboration

Introduction: This ain't your father's data -- Data 101 and the data deluge -- Demystifying big data -- The elements of persuasion : big data techniquies -- Big data solutions -- Case studies : the big rewards of big data -- Taking the big plunge -- Big data : big issues and big problems -- Looking forward : the future of big data -- Final thoughts.

The Business Case for Big Data

Too Big to Ignore

George Bernard Shaw once famously said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” Although he died in 1950, Shaw’s words live on, especially in the business world. Far too many executives, salespeople, consultants, and even rank-and-file employees suck at communicating. Some think that they’re speaking and writing effectively when they drop ostensibly sophisticated terms like paradigm shift, synergy, net-net, form factor, and optics. Others think that they’re being clever. No doubt that you know the type. (Maybe you’re even one of them and don’t realize it.) These are the folks who regularly rely upon obscure acronyms, technobabble, jargon, and buzzwords when plain English would suffice just fine. They constantly invent new tech-laden words, bastardize others, and turn nouns into verbs. They ignore their audiences, oblivious to the context of their words. In other words, they talk without speaking. If bad business communication is a disease, then the prevalence of hackneyed and utterly meaningless terms is just one of its major symptoms. Aside from using confusing language, many corporate folks depend almost exclusively on a single communications vehicle: e-mail. In the process, they actively resist new, powerful, and truly collaborative tools specifically designed to make people work and communicate better. What’s the net effect of this near-pervasive failure to effectively communicate while at work? The precise monetary figure is impossible to accurately quantify. At the same time, though, it cannot be overstated. At a minimum, communication breakdowns are directly responsible for myriad inefficiencies, duplicate efforts, ineffectual campaigns, project failures, largely avoidable gaffes, internal political squabbles, and forgone business opportunities. If that seems a bit lofty and abstract, think about how many misunderstandings could have been averted at your organization if two colleagues had simply engaged in a five-minute in-person conversation or videoconference over Skype. Ask yourself how many technical problems could have been solved with a quick phone call and a simple screen-sharing session. Fortunately, business communication need not suffer from antiquated tools and a commensurate mind-set. In Message Not Received, award-winning author Phil Simon demonstrates how intelligent professionals and organizations are embracing simpler language and new technologies to communicate in a much more straightforward and effective manner. No theoretical text, Simon takes us on a journey, stopping at progressive companies like Klick Health, Sidecar, and PR 20/20 along the way. Message Not Received examines how we communicate, use, and often misuse language and technology at work. It’s high time to reexamine not only what we say while we’re on the clock, but how we say it.

How New Technologies and Simpler Language Can Fix Your Business Communications

Message Not Received

Phil Simon's twelfth book is required reading for project managers, product owners, and others interested in understanding the new world of work.

Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace

Zoom into the new world of remote collaboration While a worldwide pandemic may have started the Zoom revolution, the convenience of remote meetings is here to stay. Zoom For Dummies takes you from creating meetings on the platform to running global webinars. Along the way you'll learn how to expand your remote collaboration options, record meetings for future review, and even make scheduling a meeting through your other apps a one-click process. Take in all the advice or zoom to the info you need - it's all there! Discover how to set up meetings Share screens and files Keep your meetings secure Add Zoom hardware to your office Get tips for using Zoom as a social tool Award-winning author Phil Simon takes you beyond setting up and sharing links for meetings to show how Zoom can transform your organization and the way you work.

Zoom For Dummies

Say goodbye to the old, inefficient way of working Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be less overwhelmed, more efficient, and more engaged at work? Imagine being able to quickly and easily locate key documents and conversations. Every day, more than twelve million employees need not wonder. By using a remarkably useful, flexible, popular, affordable, and intuitive tool called Slack, they have fundamentally changed how they work. Slack For Dummies provides an approachable road map to understanding how to use Slack to maximum effect. This easy-to-use reference guide explores the Slack user interface and its key features. It walks you through the process of setting up workspaces, channels, and threads. It also offers insight on how to get your colleagues on board with this modern way of communicating and collaborating. Navigate Slack’s user interface and understand its key features Guide you through the process of creating workspaces, channels, and threads Provide additional context to group and individual messages Extend the power of Slack with third-party apps and integrations Improve employee morale and productivity Slack For Dummies is a full-color, step-by-step resource that will change the way that you communicate and collaborate with your colleagues—for the better and for good.

Phil Simon

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