Expert Data Labs

http://expertdatalabs.com

Steve Jobs Bio Is Amazon’s Best-Selling Book of 2011

Walter Isaacson’s bio of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs topped Amazon’s list of the top-selling books of 2011, though the title is still number three for best-selling Kindle titles.

While Amazon had predicted the bio, called Steve Jobs might take the number one spot for the year, the achievement is still impressive since the book wasn’t released until late October. Amazon did not release sales figures for the book. However, Nielsen BookScan had reported that Steve Jobs sold 379,000 copies in its first week of release.

With 25 days left this year, Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is the best-selling Kindle book. Number two is The Litigators by John Grisham.

In addition to netting strong sales, Isaacson’s bio, based on more than 40 hours of interviews with Jobs and hundreds of interviews with Jobs’s family, friends and business associates, has also been generally well-received by critics and is reportedly the basis of an upcoming movie from Sony possibly starring Noah Wyle or George Clooney.

What do you think? Does Steve Jobs deserve to be 2011′s best-selling book? Sound off in the comments.

Bonus: 15 Inspirational Steve Jobs Quotes

via feedproxy.google.com

Steve Jobs Bio Is Amazon’s Best-Selling Book of 2011

Walter Isaacson’s bio of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs topped Amazon’s list of the top-selling books of 2011, though the title is still number three for best-selling Kindle titles.

While Amazon had predicted the bio, called Steve Jobs might take the number one spot for the year, the achievement is still impressive since the book wasn’t released until late October. Amazon did not release sales figures for the book. However, Nielsen BookScan had reported that Steve Jobs sold 379,000 copies in its first week of release.

With 25 days left this year, Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is the best-selling Kindle book. Number two is The Litigators by John Grisham.

In addition to netting strong sales, Isaacson’s bio, based on more than 40 hours of interviews with Jobs and hundreds of interviews with Jobs’s family, friends and business associates, has also been generally well-received by critics and is reportedly the basis of an upcoming movie from Sony possibly starring Noah Wyle or George Clooney.

What do you think? Does Steve Jobs deserve to be 2011′s best-selling book? Sound off in the comments.

Bonus: 15 Inspirational Steve Jobs Quotes

via feedproxy.google.com

4 technology terms and what they mean

Although technology is present in all of our daily lives, many of us are still unfamiliar with the terms associated with it.  Fortunately, we’re here to clear up some of the confusion. Keep reading for an explanation of four common technology-related terms.

Cookies

Cookies allow websites to identify you when you revisit them. By enabling cookies, you are letting your browser store your information, such as username, password and preferences, and provide it for the site you are visiting. They are a time-saver that can be very useful for avid Internet users.

Although cookies are incredibly convenient, some view them as a privacy issue. They store your information and track your activity, which can make it easier for others to access your information. Most experts agree, however, that limiting the amount of cookies you use is sufficient for protecting your online identity.

URL

A URL, which is short for uniform resource letter, is essentially the web address of a website. It is what you type into the address bar of a browser when you would like to be directed to a web page.

Cloud

Cloud is one of the tech terms that is most common right now. Everybody is talking about the cloud. The cloud is the term for services that are based over the Internet and don’t require additional hardware or software, like Facebook or Google Apps.

Flash

Flash is an Adobe-owned platform that lets you view certain things on your computer. Many people install Flash players or plug-ins so that they can watch videos or animation or see dynamic displays on websites. Although Flash has been the longtime leader in its field, HTML5 is rapidly catching up with it.

Understanding the basics of tech terminology is a great way to better understand the technology we interact with.

For more tech terms and their meanings, check out this glossary.

via teamedl.com

How you can use a workflow chart | Expert Data Labs Blog

You might not realize how many processes you have memorized for your everyday routine and there are probably a lot. Those processes typically include a lot of intricate steps, which can make explaining or recreating that process challenging at times. Luckily, workflow charts are here to make it easier.

What are they?

A flowchart is fundamentally a diagram that outlines processes with differently shaped boxes (steps in the process are usually square while decisions are usually indicated with a diamond) and arrows that link those boxes. They are great tools when it comes to managing or outlining processes. For an example of a flowchart, click here.

Pros

  • Very straightforward way of conveying a process as the symbols are generally universally understood
  • Once it has been made, the process will often take less time than before
  • Helps users understand how each step impacts an entire process

Cons

  • Can be difficult to create, especially when the processes are more complicated
  • If you don’t have the proper software, this can be a very long process

How to create one

Creating a workflow chart is not as complex as it looks. Thanks to computer software that guides you through the process, it can really be much less painful that you may think.

Workflow software enables you to choose the type of box you’d like to use (to indicate a step or a decision) and then you fill in the information and connect the boxes as you see fit. If a certain step has multiple courses of action, you should indicate those with multiple arrows leading to those options. To see what different flowchart icons mean, take a look at this eHow article.

Workflow charts are a great way to help break down a process and better understand all of the steps that go into it.

If you would like more information on how to create a workflow chart, check out this eHow article.

via teamedl.com

I was just reading this weekend where work flow / process maps were one of the things that separated the opportunity seeker from the strategic entrepreneur.

Steve
http://ExpertDataLabs.com

How can Google Docs help boost productivity?

via Expert Data Labs Blog by EDL Admin on 3/18/11

Google Docs is a cool tool that many of us are familiar with. Its professional uses are constantly expanding, and the most recent updates only increase its business benefits.

The commenting feature in Google Docs saw some big changes this week. Some of the most substantial updates include:

  • Timestamps and profile pictures on comments
  • The ability to edit and resolve comments
  • Implementation of email notifications via @mentions

The email notifications feature is by far the most useful of these upgrades as they let you bring new people into the discussion as needed.

Since the notification will include the text of the comment, the team member does not need to have immediate access to Google Docs. He or she can simply reply to the email notification, and it will show up in the conversation.

In addition to the email notifications, the ability to edit and resolve comments will likely be very useful. Before, Google only allowed you to delete comments once an issue had been resolved. Now, you can “resolve” the comment and it will still be available for review. Now, you can check back and make sure that everything has been completed properly.

If distributed teams are working on a project, it can sometimes be difficult to make sure everyone is on the same page. Collaboration tools like Google Docs make it much simpler. The email alerts will let your team members know as soon as you need their help on a project and keep everyone in sync.

Having several people working on a document at the same time from different locations can get quite confusing. It’s easy to lose track of edits and it can be difficult to make sure you’re incorporating everyone’s input. These collaboration tools make the process much more streamlined.

If you’d like to learn more about the recent changes to Google Docs, take a look at this article.

3 tips for conducting virtual meetings

via Expert Data Labs Blog by EDL Admin on 4/15/11

While many prefer face-to-face meetings, virtual meetings are a popular part of today’s business environment. It is important, however, to remember certain things when you’re conducting these meetings.

Proper etiquette is critical to the success of a virtual meeting. Many people treat virtual meetings as more laid-back than face-to-face ones, which is not always appropriate. Etiquette can go a long way in making participants view you as competent and an authority on the issue at hand.

Here are a few additional tips that can help you carry out more effective and professional virtual meetings.

1. Be prepared

Preparedness is essential for any meeting, virtual or not. When you’re conducting a virtual meeting, it can be easy to forget who your audience is. You want to be sure that the information you’re presenting is appropriate for each participant.

Also, ensure that everybody invited to the meeting has the appropriate login information. If the invitees can’t actually access the meeting, the overall purpose is lost.

2. Engage participants

Although it might seem normal to jump right into the presentation, taking a moment to introduce participants can go a long way. This helps build relationships, and makes the meeting feel less rushed.

Though it may seem cliché, having everyone give a little information about themselves, like their favorite food, or the highlight of their weekend, could be a great icebreaker. It allows everyone to see the other participants as more than just a face on a computer screen.

3. No side conversations

Side conversations can be unbelievably distracting to all participants, even if you’re not on screen at the moment. Not only can side conversations grab the concentration of the presenter, it can distract other attendees and deter from the point of the meeting.

There are many things you can do to produce a more effective and productive virtual meeting, and these are just a few of those. For more ideas, check out this Inc. article.