Author Archives: Vadim

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About Vadim

I'd like to have something really impressive to say here, but it's just not in the cards. Maybe later.

When AI Fails, It’s Never the AI

Posted on November 13, 2025 by Vadim

If you’ve read any of the recent AI-adoption reports – the ones with ominous charts, jargon-heavy executive summaries, and the unmistakable whiff of “we swear we didn’t panic writing this,” you’ve probably noticed a theme: enterprise AI pilots are failing … Continue reading →

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Funeral jokes and job interviews

Posted on June 26, 2024 by Vadim

Context is everything. A funny story told at a funeral isn’t great. It’s a disaster. The best storytellers know: it’s not about the story. It’s about the listener. When hiring, let the applicant interview you first. Watch how they gather … Continue reading →

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The Vicious Circle of Commitment

Posted on January 25, 2021 by Vadim

I’ve observed that: If there is no Commitment, there is no Availability If there is no Availability, there is no Follow-Through If there is no Follow-Through, there is no Ownership If there is no Ownership, there is no Commitment One … Continue reading →

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Build vs. Buy is the Worst Possible Way to Frame That Decision

Posted on January 16, 2018 by Vadim

Why?  Because it represents a false dichotomy. “Build” part of that equation implies that you are either starting from scratch, or at the very least, have a very long road ahead, wrought with long requirements sessions, prioritization arguments, and project … Continue reading →

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Soviet Union, lapel pins, and gamification

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Vadim

Earlier today, a coworker of mine emailed me a picture asking if I knew what it was.  The picture was of a Swimmers Federation of the Soviet Union lapel pin.  It was fun to see such a trinket, and I … Continue reading →

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Choices

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Vadim

“In life our first job is this, to divide and distinguish things into two categories: externals I cannot control, but the choices I make with regard to them I do control. Where will I find good and bad? In me, … Continue reading →

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Innovation vs. Improvement

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Vadim

Being on the Central time zone internally and Pacific time zone physically allows for waking up really early and pondering.  As I await the start of Salesforce Foundation’s Higher Ed Summit 2014 in Phoenix, I began reflecting on the few … Continue reading →

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IT as an Impediment to Innovation

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Vadim

Over the past decade, much is being said about IT being the enabler of innovation within organizations.  I certainly am firmly in that camp.  In fact, I don’t view it as one of our jobs, to enable our customers to … Continue reading →

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Preparing for different types of innovation

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Vadim

Yesterday, while attending a webinar, I heard something mentioned that struck a note with me. The speaker said that it is our job, as IT professionals, to support innovation. The statement of course makes sense and is inline with what … Continue reading →

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The Agile Triangle

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Vadim

I have recently been thinking about this whole concept of Agile, and how to best transition from the “old and tired” to the “new and exciting”.   In other words, how to take the best of what agile has to offer … Continue reading →

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