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8 more weeks to get back to coding!
I actually was brave enough to even download something with a brand name that contained this year's number (not 2000, 2003 or even 2007) but this year's number as part of it's name.
But I am going to stick to my keyboard and wait until the eight weeks are over.
What is it ab out, err, ummm! It is just that I miss coding.
cheers
Raz
/*
Ghazi Hadi Al Wadi, PMP, ASQ SSGB, DBA
*/
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It is so exciting to see Ultimate TCP/IP goes opensource.
I can't really describe my feeling. My pride and joy is married to open-source.
I hope our developers community enjoys enriching this baby with more functionality as we have did for over 10 years.
cheers
Ghazi
Ghazi Hadi Al Wadi, PMP, ASQ SSGB, DBA
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Good morning,
Today I have received a greeting postcard by regular mail
It has been a while since I got a postcard. (Father day is not counted  )
However, this one was pretty special and was in time too to raise the morals.
It was sent by Dr. Khalid Al Daher, General Manager of Microsoft Arabia. I met Dr. Al Daher at Microsoft Confrence for Developers that was held in Riyadh, KSA, I attended when I first accepted a job at my current organization, few years ago.
Then, I had the pleasure of talking to him regarding Microsoft efforts in fostering Develpers in the area.
After our chat we exchanged business card. My business card had the old name of My department,which was on the address postcard envelop (This is why I am linking the postcard to that occasion ).
Regardless of how we programmers tend to evaluate effort as automated or not, I think getting a simple tangible item such as postcard by regular mail is a great way to remind us that we are still human and business can be done while acknowledging the human factor. and that the other party are welling to take extra miles to strengthen the relationship.
Thank you Dr Daher and all of you who read this blog. and Wishing you a happy new year.
Ghazi
PMP, ASQ SSGB
-- modified at 3:05 Monday 8th January, 2007
Ghazi Hadi Al Wadi, PMP, ASQ SSGB, DBA
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Well for the first time in few years I am not prpeparing for exams or certifications or audit.
It feels odd. I wonder how many cups of cofee did I consume during this year only.
Cheers
Ghazi
Ghazi Hadi Al Wadi, PMP, ASQ SSGB, DBA
This blog is a tree in the forest. Would it ever makes sound?
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ghazi H. Wadi Receives ASQ-Certified Six Sigma Green Belt Recognition
Milwaukee, WI, December 11, 2006 — The Certification Board of the American Society for Quality is pleased to announce that Ghazi H. Wadi has completed the requirements to be named an ASQ-Certified Six Sigma Green Belt – (ASQ SSGB). As such, Ghazi H. Wadi has reached a significant level of professional recognition, indicating a proficiency in and a comprehension of Six Sigma principles and practices. Individuals who earn this certification are allowed to use “ASQ SSGB” on their business cards and professional correspondence. “ASQ provides certification as a way to provide formal recognition to professionals who have demonstrated an understanding of, and a commitment to, quality techniques and practices in their job and career,” explains Ronald D. Atkinson, President, American Society for Quality. “This is a great accomplishment and, although not a formal registration or licensure, bestows a high level of peer recognition as well.” An ASQ Certified Six Sigma Green Belt is a paraprofessional who, in support of or under the supervision of a Six Sigma Black Belt, analyzes and solves quality problems and is involved in quality improvement projects. A Six Sigma Green Belt is someone with at least three years of work experience who wants to demonstrate his or her knowledge of Six Sigma tools and processes.
Since 1968, when the first ASQ certification was given, more than 100,000 individuals have taken the path to reaching their goal of becoming ASQ-Certified in their field or profession, including many of who have attained more than one certification. To learn more about ASQ’s Certified Six Sigma Green Belt program, visit http://www.asq.org/certification/six-sigma-green-belt/.
The American Society for Quality (www.asq.org) is the world's leading authority on quality. With more than 100,000 individual and organizational members, the professional association advances learning, quality improvement, and knowledge exchange to improve business results, and to create better workplaces and communities worldwide. As champion of the quality movement, ASQ offers technologies, concepts, tools, and training to quality professionals, quality practitioners, and everyday consumers, encouraging all to Make Good Great. ASQ has been the sole administrator of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award since 1991. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., the 60-year-old organization is a founding partner of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), a prominent quarterly economic indicator.
For More Information Contact:
Public Relations Administrator
American Society for Quality
600 N. Plankinton Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53201
800-248-1946
help@asq.org
It is Illogical to define an inventor by his invention
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Leadership Skills and Traits of Effective Leaders
By Ghazi H. Wadi, PMP
Introduction
Leadership is an essential role that is needed for the success of any organization. This article discusses leadership and the skills which makes a manager a successful leader.
It first defines leadership and types of leaders. Next it addresses some of the skills required by leaders for a successful management of the organization. The article also discusses delegation as one of the activities employed by leaders in order for meeting the organization objectives, why is delegation needed, and how to avoid delegation failure.
Leadership defined
In his article titled “The Leadership Factor” published in New York: The Free Press, in 1988, John P. Kotter of the Harvard Business School defines leadership as “The process of moving a group (or groups) in some direction through mostly non-coercive means. Effective leadership is defined as leadership that produces movement in the long-term best interests of the group(s).” (Quoted by Cadwell, 2004)
Types of Leadership
Before we discuss the skills needed by a leader let us first discuss types of leaderships.
In their book “Why Should Anyone Be Led By You”, Rob Goffee and Garth Jones state that “Who can we become more effective as leaders and as Developers of leaders? The answer, we believe, lies in an explicit recognition of three fundamental axioms about leadership.” The three axioms described in their book are; Situational, Nonhierarchical, and Relational.
The situational leaders are leaders who found their time and place, but whose qualities lost their appeal when things moved on. An example of such leaders, as given in the book is Winston Churchill. “Winston Churchill, for example, was an inspirational wartime leader, but his bulldog style was ill suited to the reconstruction agenda of postwar Britain” (Goffee, 2006) .
The second observation bout leadership says Goffee and Jones is that, “Leadership is nonhierarchical” (Goffee, P. 13). “Successful organization (…) seek to build leadership capability widely and to give people the opportunity to exercise it ”
The third foundation of Goffee and Johns’ view of leadership is that leadership is relational. “Simply put, you can’t lead without followers” Followers are the other side of the leadership equation (Goffee, 2006)
From the point above we can conclude that everyone in one case or another may be required to take the role of a leader. Therefore, leadership skills are essential for any one to succeed in his/her business life, even if his not in an official position to be a leader.
Types of leaders
The book, “Business A Changing World” categorizes leaders as one of three categories; Autocratic Leaders, Democratic leaders and Free-rein leaders. An Autocratic leader makes all decisions and then tells employees what must be done. A Democratic leader involves his/her employees in decisions. A Free-rein leader lets his/her employees work without much interference. (Ferrell, 2006).
Each type of leaders has its benefit and use depending on the situation, the leader skills and the followers types and background. As a parent of too young children you are not expected to discuss your decisions with them. In a multifunctional team a leader may share the decision making process with the experts in his team. In a highly skilled team where everyone shares the vision and the strategy and know the tactics of achieving the organization objectives a leader may leave the decision making process to his followers.
What do leaders do?
Charles Cadwell in his book “Leadership Skills for Managers, Fourth Edition” said that “Jim Collins, a former member of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, is the author of Built to Last, a national bestseller for five years. In researching his latest book, Good to Great, he and his research team (Collins, 2001) found that there was a hierarchy of executive capabilities that they defined as Level 5 Leadership. While they say a leader does not have to move in sequence from Level 1 to Level 5, Level 5 leaders embody all five levels.
• Level 5: Executive. Builds enduring greatness through a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will.
• Level 4: Effective leader. Catalyzes commitment to and vigorous pursuit of a clear and compelling vision, stimulating higher performance standards.
• Level 3: Competent manager. Organizes people and resources toward the effective and efficient pursuit of predetermined objectives.
• Level 2: Contributing team member. Contributes individual capabilities to the achievement of group objectives and works effectively with others in a group setting.
• Level 1: Highly capable individual. Makes productive contributions through talent, knowledge, skills, and good work habits.
“ . (Cadwell, 2004)
Regardless of their level, in order for leaders to fulfill their function and roles they , generally speaking, must be qualified with a set of skills. These skills are discussed next.
Leadership Skills
In order for leaders to fulfill their function and roles they must be qualified with a set of skills. This set of skills includes (Adopted from Ferrell, 2006);
• Technical Skills; such as knowledge needed to perform jobs related to their area of management
• Conceptual Skills; such as the ability to think outside of the box and see problems and opportunities creatively.
• Analytical Skills; including ability to identify relevant issues and recognize their importance and comprehend the relationship between them.
• And Human relations Skills; or what can be called people skills, such as communication skills and conflict resolving abilities.
As stated by “PMBOK Guide, 3rd edition. 2004” The above mentioned skills demands that a leader is capable of:
• Effective communication, exchanging information properly.
• Influencing the organization. The ability to "get things done".
• Leadership. Developing a vision and strategy, and motivating people to achieve that vision and strategy.
• Motivation. Energizing people to achieve high level of performance and to overcome barriers to change.
• Negotiation and conflict management. Conferring with others to come to terms with them to reach agreement.
• Problem solving. The combination of problem definition, alternatives identification and analysis, and decision making.
Delegation
Delegation is the process in which you empower someone else to do a job for you. In his article “The Art of Delegation”, Gerard Blair a Senior Lecturer in VLSI Design at the Department of Electrical Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, says that “To enable someone else to do the job for you, you must ensure that:
• They know what you want
• They have the authority to achieve it
• They know how to do it.” (Blair, undated)
Therefore, before delegating a job to another person you must ensure that he/she has the required skills, the needed resources and the procedures that show how to do the task in hand. In addition, a manager/leader must ensure that the delegated person understands his/her role and what are the levels of authority and responsibility do this task entail.
Let us take the example of baby sitter described by Blair in the above mentioned article. You will, first, ensure that the baby sitter is fit for the job, (You would not ask a child to baby sit another child). Second, you would let the babysitter know what areas of the house she/he can access. And finally you will explain the responsibilities such as; feeding the baby and contacting you in case of emergency.
Without following these rules the delegation process is bound to fail.
Conclusion
In this article the required leadership skills in a leader were addressed. The type of leaders was discussed. And finally the process of delegation was touched upon as one of the processes employed by a leader to manage his/her work requirement.
Reference List
Charles M. Cadwell ,“Leadership Skills for Managers, Fourth Edition”, American Management Association , ISBN:0761214275. 2004. (Retrieved from http://pmi.books24x7.com/ on October 7th, 2006)
Rob Goffee and Gareth Jones, “Why Should Anyone Be Led By You?: What it takes to be an Authentic Leader”, Harvard Business School Press, Boston Massachusetts. ISBN:1-57851-971-3, 2006.
O.C. Ferrell et al, “Business A Changing World” 5th edition. McGraw-Hill Irwin, New York, 2006.
PMI, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOK Guide) Third Edition, Project Management Institute, PA. 2004.
Gerard M. Blair, The art of Delegation, Undated (Retrieved from www.see.ed.ac.uk/~gerard/Management/art5.html, on October 4th 2006).
It is Illogical to define an inventor by his invention
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The ultimate goal of a business is to make profit. Unfortunately, to the unlearnt the definition of profit seems to be limited to the tangible outcome only. Such understanding of profit forces the justification of using any means necessary to gain profit. This approach is not right in all its meaning. There are benefits in complying with ethical and social responsibilities of a business. In this blog the ethical and social responsibilities of a business and how it contributes to the success and profitability of the business are addressed. Examples of ethical and social responsibilities are also given in this blog.
Business Ethics
In order to succeed, business must earn the respect and confidence of their customers. Gaining respect comes from complying with what the customer considers right and avoiding what the customer considers wrong. If we looked at profiting from a collective point of view, we will realize that ethics and business have common goals and they support each other. By following ethical standards toward not only its customers but also its employees a company can gain many cost cutting advantages.
A company that treats its customers fairly will be benefiting from the good reputation and words of mouth advertisement that will be initiated voluntarily by satisfied customers. In addition, the huge cost of retaining skilled employees and training new employees can be drastically reduced by treating employees with ethics.
According to Verschoor (2006) “A telephone survey of 800 U.S. adults showed that the most important proof of good corporate citizenship is how well a company treats its employees. Similarly, the survey found that 76% believe that a company's treatment of its employees plays a big role in consumer purchasing decisions”
The use of ethics in the business environment is also beneficial for the business to protect it from itself. Parvaz (2005) argues this point exactly by saying “Just last month, two former Kmart executives were charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission with misleading shareholders via bogus disclosures leading up to its 2002 bankruptcy filing” He added “This sad pattern of mismanagement (the two are also charged with aiding and abetting violation of rules for securities fraud) doesn't just make for nasty courtroom scenes and perhaps a couple of white-collar guys being locked up.
In Kmart's case, it resulted in the closure of roughly 600 stores and the loss of 57,000 jobs across the country. ”
The sense that business means taking advantage of needy unaware consumers must be cleared from the mind of the average consumers. This can be accomplished by companies adopting to and subscribing to well set ethical standards through its employees and management.
Cited by Novak (2003) , James Autry, an author who consults with companies on ethical leadership issues, is cited saying “The American people have gotten the idea that every company is selfish, unethical and gouging for all they can get, and that's not true. Although there are a bunch of bad apples, they're not anywhere near the majority”
The success of ethics application depends on the employees of that company. Autry said there's no such thing as business ethics -- only people ethics. "If the people who run the businesses do not behave ethically, they won't operate the business ethically," Autry said. "It's like love or trust: it's just an idea or concept, a warm and fuzzy feeling, unless or until it becomes behavior. There are no shortcuts to this, and it starts at the top."
Social Responsibilities
There has been misunderstanding of the capitalist system in the way that business should only concentrates on the benefit of its stakeholders. This statement in my opinion is never been more accurate, on the other hand it has been misunderstood too much.
If a business is going to strive for survival and acceptance by the society it resides on, it must understand the importance of the view the society perceives it in and how it contributes for the prosperity of such society. By fulfilling the society’s needs it ensures its survival and becomes favorable by the society when it comes to comparing it with other competing businesses.
Many companies spend millions of dollars to clear and beautify its public image. I believe that nothing will match beatifying the public image of a company more than fulfilling its social responsibilities. McDonalds a well known fast food restaurant chain company, has greatly overcome the negativity of being a fast food restaurant chain by subscribing to a set of self embossed social responsibilities.
For Example according to an article published on Pearson Prentice Hall, “Since 1990, McDonald's has taken a number of steps to become "greener"-- it replaced its Styrofoam packaging with special lightweight paper, started using smaller sized napkins made out of recycled newspapers, and cut back on plastic use. These measures have helped McDonald's reduce its waste by 30% in the last decade.” (Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006)
In conclusion ethics and social responsibilities are key factors in the success of a business and contribute to the sustainability of continuing success in business through being favorable for the customer and maintaining a good share of the market.
Reference List
Verschoor, Curtis C. (August 2006). Consumers consider the importance of corporate social responsibility.(Ethics). Strategic Finance 20(2). Retrieved 14 Sep. 2006, from Expanded Academic ASAP. Thomson Gale. LIRN.
Parvaz, D. (Sept 11, 2005). Corporate Ethics Business' Big Boys Haven't Cornered The Market On Bad.(Focus)(Column). Seattle Post-Intelligencer, p. D6. Retrieved 14 Sep. 2006, from Custom Newspapers. Thomson Gale. LIRN.
Novak, Shonda (Oct 15, 2003) Companies Lauded For Ethical Standards; Award Winners Share Values That Put People First, St. Edward's Official Says.(Business). The Austin American-Statesman . P. C1. Retrieved 14 Sep. 2006 from Custom Newspapers. Thomson Gale. LIRN.
Pearson Prentice Hall website, “Practicing Societal Marketing: Lessons from McDonald's”, Duluth News-Tribune, January 30, 2000. http://myphlip.pearsoncmg.com/cw/mpviewce.cfm?vceid=1259&vbcid=1932 (retrieved on Friday, October 20, 2006)
It is Illogical to define an inventor by his invention
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For years, I have been giving computer related seminars and coaching martial arts.
This week I have finished an 8 weeks course in public speaking. I had so many things to reflect on. One thing I am sure about after finishing this course is that the course should have been called effective listening.
To view yourself on tape and see how people (and you) perceive your messages is an excellent way to learn public speaking.
Cheers
Raz.
It is Illogical to define an inventor by his invention
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As I have had my laptop for over 3 years and that was the last time I have spent much of investment on a gizmo, I decided to treat myself last night for a cool toy. an I-MATE POCKET PC PDA2K. Processor: Intel PXA 263 CPU 400MHz
128MB RAM ,Display: TFT LCD 16-bit touchscreen, 3.5 inches. Display resolution: 240 x 320 at 64k colours , GSM/GPRS: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
Colour CMOS camera , Dimensions: 69.8mm x 215mm x 18.7mm , Weight: 210g
SDIO/MMC slot.
I also added an MMC 512 card for a bonus. Now let see if I can get it Arabized.
And it is Time to do serious Mobile Programming.
There goes the neigbourhood .
Cheers
It is Illogical to define an inventor by his invention
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I finally convinced myself to learn touch typing. I am now typing in speed of 40 word a minut.
Since highschool in Monreal, Quebec, keyboarding was always the course I skipped when I select the my courses.
I know you are not beliving that I have been programming since highschool and still not welling to learn touch-typing.
Well I admit I was wrong. I should have done that earlier.
I am glad to have learned tuuch typing.
Cheers
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Hi,
As every here and then I get shocked by new acrynomes used at codeproject.
and how not being in the old team forces me to do the learning in a pull mechanism not as before where just the mere coincedent of being around cutting edge develpers would force you to stay in touch with the gang.
I wanted to count my blessing for having a place (Code Project) I can hang in even if I don't let people know I am here . just ears dropping.
It is Illogical to define an inventor by his invention
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well, managing a software project is pain in the neck. let alone developing for research purposes.
How can you present a staus report for somthing you did not tell the higher management that you were going to deliver (because their specification was not even clear when they first asked you to develop it)
if you use the old waterfall approach you will definitly be looking for new job before the end of the project.
iterative developent to the rescue!
If you use the iterative approach and convince your higher manageent that you are using the iterative development approach not the traditional waterfall development approach, and that each portion of the project goes through several iteration that cover:
1. Planning
2. Requirement collection
3. Analysis & design
4. Implementation
5. Testing
6. Evaluation
7. Then back again to planning
you will be in safe side as you have found yourself an excuse that you are in the research and the management will be confedent that when time comes you will be able to justify resource spending (your effort, time and money) to the stakeholders.
It is Illogical to define an inventor by his invention
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Business Intelligence researches has been catching my attention for quite a while.
I have come to a conclusion that finding the strength and ways of improving performance of the enterprise by aligning every day-to-day work with the large map laid out by the organizations strategy is the true realization of AI goals.
I am, as well as all of us at CP are, in it for the money so the word research does not actually have much effect slowing me down.
The concept is so clean and brings out the Wow effect in the faces of every one including grandmothers (who , no-doubt ,can also be CEO's)
I think I am a new born BI person.
Cheers.
It is Illogical to define an inventor by his invention
You can't Improve what you can't measure
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Well I called last night to ask about the truck.
he promised it will be shipped from their workshop today. so...
Will I get my truck... 
I guess it is their way of telling me next time fix your car on your own.
It is Illogical to define an inventor by his invention
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Ok So I woke up this morning to the sound of my daughters voice wishing me a happy father's day.
how lovely. I even forgot about it. Kewl.
The gift....hmmmm! Philips Shaver....
I wished for a beard trimmer not a shaver.
Next time it will be a 70's platform guys high heels (I am 6 foot 2)
It is the tought that counts. 
It is Illogical to define an inventor by his invention
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Still did not get back my truck from the workshop
My truck, a 98 4x4 Ford Expedition  has *Something Wrong*  with the transmission.
When I bought it, The Dealer gave me a warranty on the transmission, which includes parts and labor.
But with work taking over two weeks waiting for parts and things like that , I am still paying for it in the rental fees for a(n) Hyundai, Elantra .
To visualize the suffering, picture a 6 Foot 2 guy driving this rented washing machine. Ahhh the agony.
It is Illogical to define an inventor by his invention
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Well, now it was destried by fire, I wonder if I should rebuild it peice by peice or simply scrap it and getr myself a Toyota VXR.
Hot eyes & jinxing Goes Here 
It is Illogical to define an inventor by his invention
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I guess this will only shows when you click on my whoiswho.
Well, Finally my team got over End-user orientation for the project. 3500 End-User in 10 weeks.
Hopfully they practice before the Release date.
Time to get back to Code Project and see if I STILL HAVE ANY Computer STUFF in My Head.
Next Time I will make it clear that Double Click does not mean to click the left then the right mouse button.
Cheers
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