Archive for the ‘IT’ Category

Lean Camp New England: Boston, May 13

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012

OK, OK, so it’s Mothers’ Day in the US… but we all miss out on family matters all the time for things far less awesome than this.

Lean Camp New England is a one day open space event led by Jim Benson, author of Personal Kanban. It is an opportunity to share and learn about Lean and Kanban in software development, IT operations and services, and other knowledge work fields.

Lean Camp New England is an all day event at the World Trade Center Boston, on May 13th (Sunday).
Registration is open now at a cost of $300 – catering is included.
Register at http://lssc12.leanssc.org/.

Boston is the center of gravity for lean thinking in the US. However, much of that thinking has been in fields outside of IT and Software and Systems Engineering/Development.

If you live in New England, or people you know live in New England, and are interested in getting up-to-speed among the leading thinkers and practitioners in Lean in IT and Software and Systems Engineering/Development, I highly encourage you and them to register for Lean Camp New England.

This is a rare opportunity to enjoy a regional 1-day open space / unconference in conjunction with a large international conference, Lean Software & Systems 2012 – as a result a significant number of international experts will be present and participating.

Where else can you get direct coaching from the experts for only $300?

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Posted in Agile, Agile+CMMI, IT, IT Services, Kanban, LSSC, Performance, TOC, Unconference, lean, learning | Comments Off

Death of an Industry

Monday, January 21st, 2008

I’m using this space to let people know of one of the utmost IDIOTIC things to ever happen in the State of Maryland.

It’s called the IT and Computer Services Tax.
Yup, that’s right! The killing of the “golden goose”. The death of an industry.

If you live in Maryland (or have business here, or clients, or friends, or family, or are thinking of expanding your business here….) you MUST take action.

Maryland’s Legislature snuck in a tax to balance the budget that will apply a 6% sales and use tax (the same tax they apply to most purchased items — which itself also went up from 5% to 6%) to computer and IT services.

This tax will effect everyone in the State, not just those companies who are pegged as being in that field. In the interests of full disclosure, my business will not be taxed. However, everyone I buy computer services from and everyone of my local clients could possibly be taxed which either means they’ll spend less on my business or charge me more for what I buy.

The bottom line here, is irrespective of whether you think you’ll be affected, you will. What’s bad for the IT industry is bad for everyone.

Please visit the Maryland Computer Services Association website for background information and an action list. They’ve made it very easy and FREE to take action whether or not you’re local.

No amount of logic or threats to leave the state seem to be enough. Maryland computer and IT services professionals need your help. Please take a few minutes to consider.

Thanks!

Posted in Computer Services, IT, MCSA, Maryland, tax | Comments Off