Mark Dowds

My Current Book List

I just finished an online teaching session on the EduFire business channel called The 10 Thing You Need to Build a Great Company. Here are the basics of the content I walked everyone through in a movie format. Some folks were interested in learning about my recommended reading list so I thought I would put it up here for general consumption.

Here are the books I am currently working through:

The Knack – Norm Brodsky

Notes on the Synthesis of Form – Christopher Alexander

The Structure of Scientific Revolutions – Thomas Kuhn

Lone Survivor – Marcus Luttrell

The Winner-Take-All Society – Robert Frank

The UltraMind Solution – Mark Hyman

Nudge – Richard Thaler

Bit Literacy – Mark Hurst

 

Books I recently finished and benefited from:

The Knowing Doing Gap – Jeffrey Pfeffer

Are you ready to Succeed – Srikumar Rao (I also took his course which is outstanding)

 

All time winners:

The end of Management – Cloke Goldsmith

The Tipping Point – Gladwell

Dialogue – Isaacs

Synchronicity – Jaworski

The Fourth Turning – Strauss

The Age of Spiritual Machines – Kurzweil

Leadership and the new Science - Wheatley

 

I have more lists here: http://www.shelfari.com/markdowds

Leadership and Awareness in the 21st Century

According to a recent study by McKinsey & Co. Nearly 85% of the new jobs created between 1998 and 2006 involved complex "knowledge Work" - solving problems, devising strategy, and discerning patterns within information. These patterns show a significant shift within the last century and are posing new issues to leaders, managers, and workers in the 21st Century enterprise.

The latest Brainpark Whitepaper called Aware Organizations highlights a radical new approach to management and coordination of knowledge workers. This paper details how increased task awareness within a corporation increases efficiency, reduces redundancy, and empowers the workforce to take responsibility.

You thoughts and comments on this topic are very welcome.

Brainpark Selected as Enterprise 2.0 2009 Launch Pad Finalists

TechWeb’s Enterprise 2.0 Conference 2009 Launch Pad Finalists Announced

More Votes and Submissions this Year Signify Innovation is Vibrant at Enterprise 2.0

 

SAN FRANCISCO – June 12, 2009– TechWeb today announced the four finalists in the Enterprise 2.0 Conference Launch Pad program which provides a unique public forum for unveiling new social tools within the enterprise. The Enterprise 2.0 Conference is the first and largest worldwide conference and demonstration pavilion dedicated to exploring how Web 2.0 and social technology is dramatically changing the enterprise to make businesses more agile, efficient and adaptable in today’s market. The event’s Launch Pad finalists will present their new 2.0 tools and services to a live audience on Wednesday, June 24th during the Enterprise 2.0 Conference at the Westin Waterfront in Boston.

 

Participants this year posted their submissions first in Twitter format. Top submissions by community vote were then invited to upload a short video submission to the Launch Pad site to compete for the title and chance to present to the Enterprise 2.0 community at the event. On Wednesday, June 24th, after three intense rounds that resulted in over 15,000 votes from the enterprise 2.0 community, the four Launch Pad finalists will present their ideas to the audience of creators, evangelists and adopters of cutting edge technologies, who will then decide the winner. The winning Launch Pad participant will receive a free exhibit space in the 2010 Enterprise 2.0 Conference Demo Pavilion. Enterprise 2.0 Launch Pad is organized by Stowe Boyd, an internationally recognized authority on social applications and their impact on business and society.

 

The four finalists are:

    * Bantam - a provider of online workspaces for business teams with real-time, streaming “social CRM” to keep track of people and business

    * youcalc - where business people create and share custom reports and analytics on data from SaaS systems with zero coding required

    * Brainpark - a smart and simple software product that helps employees learn from one another and become more productive at work

    * Manymoon - a social productivity  application that makes it simple to share and organize tasks, events, documents, status, links and projects

 

“This year's response for the Enterprise 2.0 Launch Pad program was the best we've seen yet,” said Steve Wylie, General Manager and Conference Director for the Enterprise 2.0 Conference. “The sheer amount of companies participating signify the incredible innovation happening in the space. These elite four finalists will present their unique technologies to our audiences, demonstrating new and applicable solutions that can improve the way we work and communicate.”

 

    * To see the 2009 Enterprise 2.0 Conference Launch Pad finalists: http://launchpad.enterprise2conf.com/videos

    * To learn more about the 2009 Enterprise 2.0 Conference or to register visit: http://www.e2conf.com

    * To see more details on Launch Pad, visit: http://launchpad.enterprise2conf.com/

    * To apply for a media pass, visit: http://www.e2conf.com/media-center/

    * To see the latest conference news and to interact with other Enterprise 2.0    

    * Conference attendees join the Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5561504394

    * Subscribe to the Enterprise 2.0 Conference: http://feeds.feedburner.com/e2blog.

 

About The Enterprise 2.0 Conference

The Enterprise 2.0 Conference explores the integration of Web 2.0 technologies in the enterprise, from both strategic and tactical perspectives. This annual conference and demo pavilion focuses on the tools and techniques that best leverage the technical, productive and social aspects of IT and workgroup environments to build a cohesive collaboration strategy and empower a connected workforce. For more information visit: www.enterprise2conf.com.

 

About TechWeb

TechWeb, the global leader in business technology media, is an innovative business focused on serving the needs of technology decision-makers and marketers worldwide. TechWeb produces the most respected and consumed media brands in the business technology market. Today, more than 13.3 million* business technology professionals actively engage in our communities created around our global face-to-face events Interop, Web 2.0, Black Hat and VoiceCon; online resources such as the TechWeb Network, Light Reading, Intelligent Enterprise, InformationWeek.com, bMighty.com,  market leading, award-winning magazines such as InformationWeek, TechNet Magazine, MSDN Magazine, Wall Street & Technology and The Financial Technology Network. TechWeb also provides end-to-end services ranging from next-generation performance marketing, integrated media, research and analyst services. TechWeb is a division of United Business Media, a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion.

*13.3 million business decision-makers: based on # of monthly connections

Skydiving on my birthday

I have wanted to skydive for years. In fact 18 years ago I went through the training but the first 3 times I went in the plane to jump something went wrong; high wind, cloud cover, and broken radios. I gave up and thought maybe the big man was trying to tell me something. Last week however it was my 39th birthday and Steven Walchek took me out for a tandem skydive just outside of Sacramento. I have to admit that it was one of the best things I have ever done and it gave me a birthday I will never forget. There goes another thing I have done before 40 (not that I am in any form of crisis). Enjoy:

SFtweetup Thursday April 2nd

Let the Kids Ride

The Ups and Downs of an Entrepreneur

It is rare that I blog about how I feel as I don't want to be seen as a big softie or too in touch with my emotions in case my big tough guy persona is shattered in the eyes of my friends. The truth is, many of my friends know I am a little bit mad and cope as best I know living through the ups and downs of starting businesses.

The ups and downs are more than financial. In fact so far I have found the financial aspect of having a lot and having little in various seasons not much of a concern. The toughest part for me is the adrenaline and unpredictability of getting a company built. This is where I make a strong differentiation on building a product and building a company. Building a product is not the easiest thing to do (at least getting it right is not easy) but it fades in comparison to the complexity, unpredictability and expense of building a company. Products are not expensive to create (I am primarily talking about web-based technology) but companies are.

If someone goes out with the mindset to build a product they will end up with something very different than the person who goes out to build a company. A company is a band of people who love to work together and want to create something together that has value in the marketplace. They are a team of people who share the load and remain dedicated to solve a problem and are not just out to get rich. Gathering a company like this is the real joy of entrepreneurialism yet the toughest part. It is tough because it necessitates the entrepreneur to give more away every day. The original idea has to die and become something more. Unless a seed dies it cannot bear fruit.

Two articles were brought to my attention this week which got me thinking about all of this:
My wife said this one by CNN explains me in a nutshell.

Another friend (@biffmon) sent me this link from Tim Ferriss' blog which really stood out to me. I have experienced this cycle many times and have hit the crash and burn of Stage 4 which is no fun whatsoever but necessary for the seasoning of any entreprenuer. This time around I appreciated the detail of Stage 3 and relate to it with Stage 5 in my sight. I really think the advice on what to do in each stage is wise.

So, yes I am a little mad but committed and not resistant to the journey. It makes a man out of you...(unless you are a woman and I suppose it does the equivalent whatever that is)

Less than 18 Months until I am 40

When the bell struck midnight and 2009 began, I could not stop thinking that this is my last full year in my 30's. I am in no hurry to get older as there are a lot of things I want to do before I am 40 and a few things I want in line before the magic day arrives. I say all this to give context to some of the things I have committed to this year. I normally ignore new years resolutions and all that caper but this was a year to write them down and make change.

Here are my commitments:
1. Fit and Forty: I will get very fit this year. To ensure this I set up a group on Gyminee to gather a few friends and draw out my competitive nature. I like to win so this type of accountability helps me. So far I have worked out every day in 2009 and am tracking my nutrition to the minutia.

2. More Adventure: Last year I committed to doing something fun and adventurous every day. In hindsight that was sort of silly as I ran out of ideas within a few months and felt like I needed to start wearing underpants on my head or regularly streaking in new places. This year I am going to do increase the risk I take when I am on a Motocross bike and continue to ride every weekend. In addition, I am going to race the Baja in a truck this coming November. I am also planning a 6 week motorbike adventure to Central and South America (which I hope to do while I am 40).

3. Write a Book: I have written and published in the past but haven't written a lot recently. This will change this year as I venture out to write a business and leadership book. I will write more about this in the months to come. I will have a co-author and will begin the process of finding the right agent within the next couple of months.

4. Grow a Great Company: Over the last 18 months Brainpark has really found its legs and has a phenomenal team. I am going to run hard and help the team take it to the next level this year. We will get noticed in 2009 and solve informational problems within enterprise and education in a way that surprises many.

5. Be Wild: I will continue to be wild and do unpredictable things without concern. I will make people laugh and enjoy laughing myself. I will not take myself serious and will make sure that anyone who does is mocked. I will attempt not to get arrested in the process.

I think that is a healthy enough list. These are not things I hope to do but things I will do. If there is anything here you catch me on ignoring or missing please hold me accountable by giving me a slap in the head and saying "catch a grip big lad".