Category Archives: Common Sense Contracting

Understand your own interests

PMO Basics: The Downward Spiral Of Cost Based Outsourcing

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Chris Niccolls

Business is changing. Look at the number of books published about the economy’s move from atoms to electrons. Don Tapscott’s wrote an excellent example, “Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything.” The title says it all. The Internet has connected everything … Continue reading →

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PMO Genius: How To Negotiate like a PAWN Star

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Chris Niccolls

Project management is all around us. We see it all the time, but it doesn’t necessarily register as project management. One of the most common elements of project management…. Or just plain old management… is negotiation. Very few of us have been … Continue reading →

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Genius PMO: Plan Projects for the New Post Office

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Chris Niccolls

One of the big changes we can expect in 2012 is the restructuring of the US Post Office. The post office is one of those things that you expect to always be there. You drop off a letter in the mail … Continue reading →

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Oracle Solaris 11: Is This The Ultimate Cloud Tool?

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Chris Niccolls

On November 9th, Oracle launched the new Solaris 11 enterprise operating system at Gotham Hall in New York. Whether or not you work for IT, Oracle’s new Solaris 11 just might change the way you work. We all know the … Continue reading →

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Solving The Government Budget Gap: The Strategic Software Initiative

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Chris Niccolls

The government’s budget problems are not going away any anytime soon. The problems facing the Federal government get the headlines, but the problems facing counties and towns are even more problems. While the Feds can print their own money, and … Continue reading →

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Are Cloud Services Really Outsourcing?

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Chris Niccolls

Technology is a tricky thing. It’s very, well, technical. Technology is not just complex, it also changes very rapidly. And of course, the names change as well. Today you see a lot of talk about “Cloud Services,” but the definition … Continue reading →

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Technology vs. Outsourcing: How Four Job Positions Evolved

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Chris Niccolls

Outsourcing is a tool for getting work done, especially when you just don’t have the skills or the management bandwidth to do the work yourself. Outsourcing is often chosen because it can significantly reduce cost, either through more efficient processes … Continue reading →

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How Do I Develop A Simple Outsourcing Plan?

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Chris Niccolls

A lot of discussions about outsourcing in the media make it appear complex, but it’s really quite simple. In fact, it’s so simple that you probably began “outsourcing” work at home before this became a trend at work. At home, … Continue reading →

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Which Location Is the “Best Buy” For Outsourcing?

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Chris Niccolls

Not too long ago, the outsourcing of corporate office jobs was synonymous with India. Big news stories showed example after example of work successfully outsourced to India, yielding enormous savings.  Years ago, when IBM was the biggest and most recognizable … Continue reading →

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How To Talk To Your Outsourcer

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Chris Niccolls

Outsourcing is a committed relationship. You have to work closely with the account manager at your outsourcer. Like every other committed relationship, you need to communicate with your partner. However, also like every other committed relationship, quality communication is very … Continue reading →

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