3rd Rock

Brutal Interview on Redmond Channel Partner Mag

Mo Edjlali — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:55:46 -0400

Good article about economy's effect on Microsoft Partner Channel - I was interviewed by Scott Becker and shared some of my insight to the story check it out at http://tinyurl.com/mobrutal my favorite line "Its' pretty brutal out there."

Are you a car salesmen?

Mo Edjlali — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:52:10 -0400

Read this great article "Confessions of a Car Salesman" by Chandler Phillips at edmunds.com about a reporter going undercover taking a car sales position. Some of these same sales tactics are applied by many agency recruiters that I've hired and fired. We never embraced this culture - but some of the top performers and companies out there are car salesmen - what are you?

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/buying/articles/42962/article.html

Blitz with Speed? One of the next killer apps

Mo Edjlali — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:54:57 -0400

I'm very impressed with the speed networking platform the folks at BlitzTime and had some great conversations with the founders. Excellent resource for recruiters or anyone passionate about building there platform. I'm part of the "Big Link" event this Thursday 12 - 1:30pm EST and if you'd like experience a super cool platform at no cost and network with some great people come join us! You'll need a phone and connected computer - http://tinyurl.com/mospeed

SPAM on the rise!

Mo Edjlali — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:41:32 -0400

Heard on NPR today SPAM is on the rise - upwards of 95% of ALL email is SPAM. Desperate times calls for desperate measures - heard crime was on the rise and wondering if that will now translate to cyber ethical violations.

Google tweet?

Mo Edjlali — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:42:13 -0400

Google is going after Twitter according to TechCrunch, more below -

http://www.crn.com/software/216402618

Death of Windows

Mo Edjlali — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:16:35 -0400

Interesting article on google / android becoming default OS on netbooks - with push into cloud computing and webbased aps makes sense. Microsoft saw this coming years ago, it will be interesting to see how things shake out.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/162376/three_reasons_why_androidpowered_netbooks_could_kill_microsoft_windows.html

Hold off until 2010

Mo Edjlali — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:11:30 -0400

Had this forwared to me and thought it was worth sharing:

Actionable Advice to Business Owners
Beaulieu recommends that business owners take the following action:

The middle of 2010 will be a golden time to expand your operation. New and used equipment will be inexpensive, real estate will be inexpensive, interest rates will be low. Start planning your expansion now.
Borrow as much money as you can in 2010, as conditions may not be as favorable in the years to follow.
If you lease business space, renegotiate your contract as vacancy rates goes up later this year.
Hire some of the exceptional talent that will be available through 2010.
Stop activities that don�??t create profit, such as a seminars, services or other things that lose money for your company.
Eliminate products that aren�??t profitable. Get rid of that which doesn�??t serve your company.
Look for clients or ways to sell your product in western Canada, Brazil, and Australia. These countries are positioned for strong future growth. Russia and China are not positioned for near-term growth.
Review your competitive advantage. Define it and tout it.
Lead with optimism. Be the chief cheerleader.
Communicate your company�??s future clearly.
Exercise your courage, don�??t just maintain the status quo. Take risks and be courageous.
Celebrate victories, even small ones, with your people. Treat your best employees well or they will defect during the recovery.
Monitor your cash position religiously and take all necessary actions to maintain a positive cash flow.
Learn to compute your company�??s �??12/12 rate of change�?? so you can project where your revenues are going

How to get quoted in NY Times article on "Not Laid offf.. "

Mo Edjlali — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:31:15 -0400

Good article in NY Times on Not Laid Off? How to Aid the Less Fortunate http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/your-money/21money.html?_r=1&ref=your-money

One of my friends from his Microsoft days and Marketinig guru - Jermey Epstien is quoted in the article. Great insight on how he got quoted at: http://www.jer979.com/igniting-the-revolution/nytimes/

Happy New Year! - diversity recruiting?

Mo Edjlali — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:02:29 -0400

Happy Nor Rouz Iranians / Persians new years !

Got me thinking, I wrote about using holidays as an effective relationship building trigger for emails / follow-up. The same can be applied to foreign holidays if you're recruiting into an ethic talent pool, whether it�??s their independence day or their new year - it would go a long ways to stand out from all the noise, not to mention showing prospects you understand, respect and value their ethnic heritage and diversity.

FBI Stole me Reqs

Mo Edjlali — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:20:53 -0400

True Story - friend of mine's company is working the DC CTOs office, had a candidate in play interviewing... then last night the FBI raided the CTOs office putting everything on hold. We've all had or fair share of absurd deal breakers but thats one I havn't heard before!

FBI Raids D.C. CTO Office

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=215900061&tcss=global-cio

The man behind LinkedIn

Mo Edjlali — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:45:48 -0400

The LinkedIn man himself CEO Reid Hoffman on Charlie Rose - great interview(originally posted March 5th).

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/03/05/read-hoffman-tells-charlie-rose-every-individual-is-now-an-entrepreneur/

From Tech crunch:

Reid Hoffman is an entrepreneur�??s entrepreneur. He worked at Paypal, founded LinkedIn, and invested in dozens more. Last night, he appeared on Charlie Rose (full interview embedded above, full transcript below), where he talks about the rise of social networking in general, and LinkedIn�??s success in particular (it is adding one million professionals every 17 days and is emerging as a �??low cost provider of really good hiring services�??).

Trust, Stephen Covey - Free webinar

Mo Edjlali — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:29:28 -0400

Saw Stephen Covey to a seminar on Trust couple months ago and recieved this in an email. Critical the speed of trust in any business but especially ours given the reliance on relationships. Link below from CoveyLink:

Tuesday, March 17th, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EDT, sponsored by Linkage. "Crisis of Trust" with Stephen M. R. Covey. Cost: Free.

Play Games Stupid!

Mo Edjlali — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:01:30 -0400

What does Microsoft, Google, SimCity and George Mason University have in common?..... Education and Games. Does anyone remember the "The Oregon Trial" or "Where in the World is Carmen Santiago"? I was in the 286 generation �?? lucky enough to have computers but barely recognizable to what today�??s machines can do. Still these games left a huge impression, combined three things I love - technology, education and games.

I wasn�??t surprised when checking out masters programs I came across this in my back yard: http://it.gse.gmu.edu/news/symposium/ Now how cool it when you bring together guys like Google�??s Chief Internet Evangelist Dr. Cerf and William Wright one of the godfathers of gaming creator of SimCity and the Sims to talk about elearning.

From the Microsoft front today when I was pluging the DC IAMCP at Microsoft TS2 event Rob Waggoner mentioned a new initiative Microsoft launched: www.areyoucertifiable.com a game that allows you to test your knowledge and makes assessing your skills fun. Just a matter of time before the gamers and games take over�?�

Get "elevated" by Microsoft in your job search

Mo Edjlali — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:24:38 -0400

Great move - Microsoft is providing training and workforce enablement from basic IT skills and resuem writing to more advance technology certifications. Showing corporate citizenship and getting more of the workforce trained on Microsoft technologies - more below:

webiste: http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/us/communityinvestment/elevateamerica.aspx

"Microsoft on Sunday launched Elevate America, a multi-part work force training effort starting in partnership with three states, including Washington. The program, billed as an expansion of existing job-training efforts, "provides immediate support in response to the current economic crisis," From Benjamin Roman's blog: http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/techtracks/2009/02/23/microsoft_news_roundup_new_work_force_training_pro.html

Microsoft Stores... following in Apples footsteps

Mo Edjlali — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:26:35 -0400

Microsoft is opening retail stores - an interesting move. More at:

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=100352

1,200 Laid off @ Microsoft

Mo Edjlali — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:03:52 -0400

Knew it was coming and in comparision not really as bad as other companies - full article below from MCPMag. Also released earning report -

http://www.microsoft.com/msft/earnings/FY09/earn_rel_q2_09.mspx

http://mcpmag.com/news/article.asp?editorialsid=1746

Microsoft - insders say layoffs coming soon

Mo Edjlali — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:51:32 -0400

You all have probably heard the news regarding Microsoft layoffs - we've seen a significant increase in Microsoft employee job applicants and I'm hearing a major announcement is coming in the next two weeks.

3000 - TOOLs!

Mo Edjlali — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:02:08 -0400

The TOOLs group on ERE just hit the 3000 mark! This is very exciting in the last 5 years the impact of technology on recruiting has continued to revolutionize our industry. I started this group with no idea it would grow to be the largest online recruiting technology forum. Thank you everyone who has actively participated, and subscribed!

Also free link to my latest article / published on the Patner Channel, my article is on page 59 - http://www.thepartnerchannel.com/magazine/pdf/TPC_Winter_09_Online_pgs%2041-60.pdf

Seeking Santa - Happy Holidays!

Mo Edjlali — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 09:06:04 -0400

Take a break from the talent hunt and track Santa! http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7792256.stm

Happy holidays and may the new year bring you peace, prosperity and joy!

Hunting Season - Final, Season for Change

Mo Edjlali — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:29:27 -0400

Season for Change - Right now our country and each of us as individuals must look at the limitless potential our future holds. Times are uncertain and only those who have the courage to act and boldness to believe will be able to rally their companies in a way to not only survive but to thrive. Take advantage of the moment and of your competitions hesitation, get creative and listen to what�??s happening around you! Be transparent, grounded and positive. And happy hunting!