Today was a good talking to another architect, discussing disruptive/game changing action.
One of his points he made is Bob Herbold's book on Fiefdom Syndrome.
Is your company threatened by turf battles, shut out of key data sources by territorial "lords," or ravaged by hundreds of "micro-companies?" If so, your organization may be suffering from a potentially crippling case of "Fiefdom Syndrome." Robert Herbold, former COO of Microsoft, presents a wealth of case studies from the usual (and always interesting) suspects--IBM, Proctor and Gamble, Microsoft, and Wal-Mart--to illustrate an affliction that affects for-profit and non-profit organizations alike.
Like headaches, fiefdoms can become a persistent problem and if left untreated, can send organizations into an endless loop of deteriorating health and repeated investigations into the cause. Prudent companies will take Herbold's advice and learn how to prevent and treat their little fiefdom problem. --E. Brooke Gilbert
TechHermit put up the following post on Uptime Leadership Split.
Details are sketchy at the moment but I just received word that John Thornell has left the Uptime Institute. Thornell who has been an instrumental force at Uptime after his departure from APC. A key driver in Uptime’s marketing efforts over the last few years was made president of the Institute last year. Indications are that the split is a result of heated debate and differences between Ken Brill and himself. There is a growing concern over Uptime Institutes relevancy in the industry and its less than subtle attempts to scuttle alternative data center related organizations and metrics such as Green Grid, PUE, and others. More to come.
Uptime Institute is not a big company, but from listening to conversations from others who are closer, it looks more like a fiefdom syndrome in action: Uptime Institute vs. other data center organizations.
I enjoyed attending Uptime Institute's Symposium 2008, but the main thing I learned is there wasn't much new presented. On the other hand the networking was great.
Personally, I am finding the Data Center Dynamics conferences more useful given their customer focus for regional events. I'll be at Data Center Dynamics Chicago on Sept 16.
Isn't it greener to have the presenters travel to the customers, reducing travel overall?