Based on my interactions with web-savvy individuals, it's quite clear to me that sometimes our preferences for tools like web browsers can seem as strong as those for religious and political convictions. As a designer of web applications, I try to set my own browser preferences aside and to design for a wide, inclusive web community.

A lot of what we do for our clients is ‘behind the scenes.’ Most of the time, users going through sites that we have developed have no idea that the technology and services that keep the site going are provided by someone other than our client. That’s the intel – or intelligence – that we bring to the table for our customers. We know how to get the job done and represent them in the best light. From the initial planning of content creation to the final tech support calls, we want to make it easy for our customers – and their customers – to get what they want.

Recently I had the opportunity to hear Betsy Myers speak.   Betsy Myers is Co-Chair of ReSkilling America.  She recently served as a senior advisor to Barack Obama’s Presidential Campaign. She joined the campaign in January 2007 as the Chief Operating Officer and served in this capacity from the start-up phase of the campaign through the primary season. She is known for establishing the campaign with a business operational model and customer service mentality.
What really moved me was how she articulated becoming an effective and inspirational leader in the midst of constant change.  Being “authentic” was the common theme and how our passion fuels us.  All this was just confirming for me as we reflect on last year and how to move our business into 2010.  I find myself extremely fortunate to work in a culture where people care.  Our team is customer centric and they care about their work and the service they provide.  Bottom line, these attitudes are fostered by Authentic Leadership.

If you need a dose of inspiration with actionable insights, Betsy has a book coming in the spring - until then visit her web site at www.betsymyers.com.

Right now I am sitting in the Orlando airport reflecting on the past several days during which I had the fortunate opportunity to meet and share ideas with many of the 1300 learning leaders and colleagues at Elliott Masie’s Learning 2009 conference.  As I continue to digest and ponder how Scitent might implement some of the ideas that I have come away with, I am finding that my mind is anchoring on one particular talk and session that is not at all what I would have predicted to be a resonating idea from the conference for improving company performance and product offering.