1. As part of the research for requirements for a new inventory package, I noticed that every pallet was counted by 3 different people and the lowest count was recorded. I worked with plant supervisors to fix the procedures. Management then realized that there was now no need for new million dollar software. They rewarded my effort and concern for the company with lots of great project work and money. Lesson: Look for the obvious first.
2. A user asked me to help solve her forecasting problem. The two of us sat down and designed the software to do it. I realized there was a parallel effort to do the same thing in another division (with an expensive purchased package), so I made my software work for both divisions. It took 3 weeks to write and people were very grateful. I was employee of the month and got a nice bonus. Lesson: Sometimes little things can solve big problems.
3. I noticed that warehouse pickers were bending and climbing ladders a lot, so I suggested modifying our inventory system to place the most popular items in bins between the knees and shoulders. The change took one week and made us 10% more efficient (a lot of money after a few months). I would have never thought of it if I hadn't been walking around, trying to understand how my software was being used. Lesson: Give yourself the chance to find opportunities.
Did you build anything that you later spun off into a better job or a side business?
Yes. Everything I learned using these methods went into 2 businesses: a small business software package and a consulting practice. If I hadn't stretched myself, who knows what cubicle I'd be sitting in today.
Thank you, dgallagher. I was having a crappy morning slogging through a lot of low level stuff, so I thought I'd take a break and drop by hn to see what was going on. Boy am I glad I did. Your comment made my day.
Thanks a lot for sharing those. I have found myself in the same position recently. And in order to overcome boredom, I started looking for broken things to fix in the area that I work in. I have been able to find a manual data entry process that goes into our Finance database. Talk about obvious!
I put a proposal together to the management with the $$$ impact ( and it comes to a million dollars!).
The amount just broke down all barriers for me. Nobody questions why I am doing this now. I have full liberty on how to execute this. I even got another developer dedicated to work on the project with me.
This is going to be completed for testing in another 3 weeks. We will see how this turns out.
I totally agree with edw519's suggestions and examples.
Your initiative will be rewarded.
this is so true.. just try to find projects within the company you work for that are (1) within you reach and (2) have the greatest impact. by this you'll learn, trive, supprise, and get great ideas for future businesses of you own.
Comments
Just a few off the top of my head:
1. As part of the research for requirements for a new inventory package, I noticed that every pallet was counted by 3 different people and the lowest count was recorded. I worked with plant supervisors to fix the procedures. Management then realized that there was now no need for new million dollar software. They rewarded my effort and concern for the company with lots of great project work and money. Lesson: Look for the obvious first.
2. A user asked me to help solve her forecasting problem. The two of us sat down and designed the software to do it. I realized there was a parallel effort to do the same thing in another division (with an expensive purchased package), so I made my software work for both divisions. It took 3 weeks to write and people were very grateful. I was employee of the month and got a nice bonus. Lesson: Sometimes little things can solve big problems.
3. I noticed that warehouse pickers were bending and climbing ladders a lot, so I suggested modifying our inventory system to place the most popular items in bins between the knees and shoulders. The change took one week and made us 10% more efficient (a lot of money after a few months). I would have never thought of it if I hadn't been walking around, trying to understand how my software was being used. Lesson: Give yourself the chance to find opportunities.
Did you build anything that you later spun off into a better job or a side business?
Yes. Everything I learned using these methods went into 2 businesses: a small business software package and a consulting practice. If I hadn't stretched myself, who knows what cubicle I'd be sitting in today.
This is one my favorite posts I've ever read on HN. Thanks for sharing it. :)
Thank you, dgallagher. I was having a crappy morning slogging through a lot of low level stuff, so I thought I'd take a break and drop by hn to see what was going on. Boy am I glad I did. Your comment made my day.
Thanks a lot for sharing those. I have found myself in the same position recently. And in order to overcome boredom, I started looking for broken things to fix in the area that I work in. I have been able to find a manual data entry process that goes into our Finance database. Talk about obvious!
I put a proposal together to the management with the $$$ impact ( and it comes to a million dollars!). The amount just broke down all barriers for me. Nobody questions why I am doing this now. I have full liberty on how to execute this. I even got another developer dedicated to work on the project with me.
This is going to be completed for testing in another 3 weeks. We will see how this turns out.
I totally agree with edw519's suggestions and examples. Your initiative will be rewarded.
this is so true.. just try to find projects within the company you work for that are (1) within you reach and (2) have the greatest impact. by this you'll learn, trive, supprise, and get great ideas for future businesses of you own.
It is only fitting that edw519 has now been member of HN for 1337 days! <wink>