So, this morning I am reading my USA Today while having a cup of coffee and just like the last week or so Apple is in the spotlight.  Not just 1 article either but at least 2, one on the new iPad (of course) and another on what we can expect to see from Apple technology this year.  After reading both of these articles I start remembering a not so distant past where there was another player always in the headlines.  Like many other technology people, I got my start in this career field as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).  People still recognize this certification as something special even though it has been retired for quite some time.  People also fondly remember Microsoft as a mover and shaker.  Microsoft was the one to watch if you were interested in seeing the latest in technology.  Since that time Microsoft has really fallen to the wayside, people try to make a big deal when there is a new release but the innovation of the old days just isn't there anymore.  They call it a new release when something comes out but from what I have seen most of the time it is a face lift with some patches or a new application so they can say "Me too!".  Don't get me wrong, I still like the company and hope they get out of this rut.  They have lost focus on what made them great!  I think we can look back through history and find that truly great companies maintained a focus on what made them successful.  When they lost that focus, they lost market share.  Today we have battle between tech giants that in recent history were more complimentary than competitive, Microsoft and Cisco.  Now at some point someone will win that battle I believe but I would much rather see them be innovators in what made them great than to see one of them fail.

Today's world is about innovation just like it has been throughout history.  Successful innovators will be successful today and in the future.  Those that lose that focus will become just another name or worse yet history themselves.  Mitel is truly an innovator and has maintained that focus throughout its history as a company.  Today Mitel can deliver on a disk what most of the competition is delivering in mass quantities of hardware.  A communications system that delivers on the corporate promise, free from "Walled Garden Architectures" and "Freedom to Choose Your Own Device".  Today the buzz statements are Unified Communications (UC) and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), what will it be tomorrow?  For almost 40 years Mitel has been bringing innovative solutions and maintaining the focus on solid communications solutions that work for large and small organizations.  I am sure it will still be that way 40 years from now!

Thanks for reading!

SE Up North

Selling the Dream, why would I name this blog that?  I worked with a gentlemen a few years ago and anytime I would call him and ask "How is it going?", his answer was always an enthusiastic "Living the Dream?"  I know he had good days and bad days just like I do but somehow when he picked up the phone or walked out the door to greet the world he was and I believe still is always happy!  I started trying this approach from time to time and found I always felt better even if my day wasn't quite what I wanted it to be.  I am still far from always turning on the sunshine but I think I have come a long ways.  What I learned is even people down on their luck will put on a happy face and live a very happy life.  Seeing the good in the world and life rather than the bad.  What is the saying "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade!"

When I look back on my life I really have been "Living the Dream"!  I have a great wife, 4 great kids and 2 wonderful granddaughters that I don't see nearly enough.  My parents are still healthy and traveling during their winters.  I am healthy and other than the minor age aches and pains, I am doing very well.  Now I could start discussing at this point all of the goals and wishes that I have not achieved as well as some of the financial woes this economy has caused me and the many things I have not done correctly causing me pain and sorrow.  You see where that is going!  August 2010, I quit smoking, quit drinking, started dieting and regular exercise, today I am still not smoking, I have a very occasional drink, haven't done so well on the diet and still exercise almost regularly.  All of these things have been great changes in my life but I think the positive attitude that I am still working on today is the best change.  Keep myself thinking positive thoughts, put on a happy face and I can feel the change deep inside.  I have really noticed the difference when I am in front of a customer.  A day that started as a mediocre day immediately changes when I walk out the door, smile and tell the world "I am living the dream!"  By the way, if you ever read this, Thanks Bob!

Today, my goal is every morning to walk out my door and begin "Selling the Dream"!  The feeling this gives me is always positive and can even turn a gloomy day bright!

Thank you for reading!

SE Up North

My first blog and my first entry, wow!  How times change!  Just a little background, I started in the world of technology in the early 80s.  I held many roles on the operations side of government and private sector businesses.  I have owned 2 businesses and now I am a Senior Systems Engineer at Mitel.  I hold several industry certifications from Mitel, Cisco, VMWare, Microsoft and Oracle.  Today I would rather state that I am learning what I don't know than to display everything I have learned and maybe forgot.  I chose the title SE Up North because I have a home and resort in the furthest north spot in the continental United States, Angle Inlet, MN in the Northwest Angle of Minnesota.

Over the past 30 years technology has evolved very fast!  While us technology people are supposed to be really smart (At least people tell me that all the time!), we can be really slow to get the big picture.  "If we don't learn to adapt to the businesses we are supporting and meet the needs of the organizations that are requesting services, we are going to die just like the dinosaur"  Successful organizations always find a way to complete their task even if there is resistance.  Back in my younger days, I never understood that and always thought I was in control.  The people I supported always figured out a way to get done what they wanted even if the IT group said "No" (Which was a pretty standard answer from IT, trust me I know because I was usually saying it).  In the early days of technology this meant figuring out a way to stop that user from doing what they needed or "thought they needed (Remember, I was in control!)"  Now I find myself looking back with so much wisdom (Smile) or is it just age (Am I really getting old?)  How many people say "I wish I knew what I know now back then!"

Now here I am, 2012 and 4 years into a whole new career and in college at the same time!  I am a Senior Systems Engineer at Mitel, a student at Western Governors University and I love it!  I get to listen to some of today's best minds tell me how they want their business to operate.  Then I take that information and build a plan to support their business and hopefully exceed their goals!  We have a great team at Mitel and many great products that all support an organizations communications.  It is funny, 4 years ago when I started I said "I sell Voice over IP", today I more accurately state "I sell solutions that allow your business communicate better!"  It really is so much more than just Voice Over IP.  But that is for another blog entry.

I hope you all enjoy this blog as much as I enjoy writing it!  There will be more to follow as I plan to give my opinions to sales and technology in the coming blogs.  Take care and thank you for following me!

Sincerely,

SE Up North