Manage information with Evernote

Evernote started as a Windows PC software that let users store notes, photos, audio files and video clips as a note on a central location together. It also had a premium version that allowed handwriting and shape recognition. 

With the advent of cloud based services, Evernote re-invented itself to build a secure cloud-based platform that let users store information in various types (typed, hand written audio/ video) and from various sources (ebooks, websites, photo albums) via their preferred devices (mobile, tablets, laptops, desktops) and then made this information accessible to them from all the devices they had.

We at IE Business School had an opportunity to meet John McGeachie, VP Sales at Evernote, who shared with us the ecosystem existing there. The thing that struck me was the honest and straight forward way in which he handled our class's numerous questions. The applications like Hello, Skitch, Food, Penultimate launched by Evernote are in line with its vision which helps users to organise, preserve and communicate information effectively. 

In the B2B segment, Evernote has come up with its product for Businesses, which revolves around knowledge management, and that according to me is the right strategy as it builds upon Evernote's existing products and moreover businesses look at knowledge management as one of areas where they must improve to increase productivity. An additional feature of this functionality could be to provide security levels, such that information can be accessed by the right person.

One areas where Evernote can extend its expertise will be in developing products for public institutions and governments since they also need tools to manage the information they possess. The governments around the world have already done or have initiated efforts to get the public data possessed by them digitised, since that would enable them to make informed decisions. I believe Evernote has the capability to build applications that could help governments manage their information and hence this could be the next area where they extend their services.

Cheers..

People Matter, results count.

The title of the post is the guiding principle of Capgemini, a French technology consulting company, which recently changed its web presence to make it in line with its vision and mission of being a company which creates value through its people.

The old website had the usual categories based on corporate structures and sales divisions and used the consulting industry buzzwords and dialect.

See the screenshot of the old website below -

The company changed its website to give a boost to its web presence. They started using clear, ordinary language to connect the visitor’s needs with the company’s services.The company knew that its collaborative partnership with clients was key to its success and this is what that was brought to the forefront in its new website.

This example of change elucidates that a company's web presence should reflect its marketing and corporate strategy and it should make it easier for its existing and potential customers to know more about the company and the value addition that they stand to gain if they do business with it.

Take a look at the new website of Capgemini.

Cheers..

Is Google evil?

We are living in the information age; To make correct strategic decisions, both companies as well as governments need as much information they can have. Information, therefore has become synonymous with power, which makes information an intangible asset that guarantees success.

Hence to analyse whether Google is evil, the following questions must be understood..

Is Google an innovative company that has offered web users amazing products such as Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail and Chrome which makes lives much easier? Or is Google a power hungry corporation that is out there gathering information about our activities on the web unscrupulously?

To know more about Google's operations and business model, below is an extract from Page 3 of Google's 10K report -  Annual Report - 2012

Google is a global technology leader focused on improving the ways people connect with information. We aspire to build products that improve the lives of billions of people globally. Our mission is to organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Our innovations in web search and advertising have made our website a top internet property and our brand one of the most recognised in the world.

We generate revenue primarily by delivering relevant, cost-effective online advertising. Businesses use our AdWords program to promote their products and services with targeted advertising. In addition, the third parties that comprise the Google Network use our AdSense program to deliver relevant ads that generate revenue and enhance the user experience. 

In simple terms, for targeted advertising and search results, Google uses social algorithms, that need as much relevant information as possible about the behaviour of an user on the web.  Google has used its products like Gmail, Maps, Chrome, Youtube, Orkut and now Google+ to build enormous amount of customer data which is then used by it to sell its Search and Advertising products to third parties. 

Hence it is imperative for Google to pacify the security concerns of its users by giving them privacy controls and assuaging them that their sensitive data is not used without their consent. 

I personally admire Google's products and services as they are based upon break through technologies. Their work environment is legendary and they promote intrapreneurship in their employees, due to which they are able to come out with cutting edge products.

Finally, lets check out the most recent innovation from Google - Google Glass.

Cheers..

"With great power comes great responsibility"

Hello World!

Hello World!

First things first - This blog has been created due to the challenge given by our Professor of Technology and Innovation Management. And I must say it has indeed been a challenge - from thinking of a name for my blog to writing my first post.

Since I am currently doing the IMBA program at IE, Madrid, this blog would serve the purpose of giving the outside world a piece of action inside one of the top b-schools in the world. The posts will be about the courses, professors and my mates here. And I certainly hope to also blog about other things that interest me.

Cheers..