Well Said...

"There’s class warfare, all right... but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning."

~ Warren Buffett

Warren Edward Buffett (1930- )

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Well Said...

"In a room where people unanimously maintain a conspiracy of silence, one word of truth sounds like a pistol shot."

~ Czesław Miłosz

Czesław Miłosz (1911-2004)

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The Great Stratification (of Professionals)

According to Prof Jeffrey J Williams (2013) in the Chronicle of Higher Education:

The spread of academic labor follows the trend of other professions. The idea of the professional usually evokes a generic image—the old-fashioned family doctor, for instance, who hung out his shingle—but now we have a much more variegated system of alpha and beta practitioners. And rather than the ideal of being independent and roughly equivalent to their peers, most professionals now work in hierarchical bureaucratic structures.

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No one should doubt that the future landscape for all professionals, including university professors, is shifting with the times. The "good old days" of earning an advanced degree and then joining the ranks of other aspiring professionals in a given cohort are ending. Yet, the global demand for "alpha" professionals with world-class skills has never been greater. As for the "beta" practitioners, the great stratification now underway globally will likely mean less career opportunity, reduced job security, lower salaries, and ultimately, diminished fulfillment. Understanding the essential qualitative differences between "alpha" and "beta" professionals carries currency in the 21st century.

Source: Williams, J J (2013, December 2), The Great Stratification, Chronicle of Higher Education.

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Tabular versus Multidimensional Modeling

According to Microsoft TechNet (2012), the distinction between tabular versus multidimensional modeling is operationally significant for analysts:

Multidimensional modeling, introduced with SQL Server 7.0 OLAP Services and continuing through SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services, enables BI professionals to create sophisticated multidimensional cubes using traditional online analytical processing (OLAP).

Tabular modeling, introduced with PowerPivot for Microsoft Excel 2010, provides self-service data modelling capabilities to business and data analysts. The tabular modeling experience is more accessible to these users, many who have spent years working with data in desktop productivity tools like Excel and Microsoft Access. In SQL Server 2012, tabular modeling has been extended to enable BI professionals to create tabular models in Analysis Services or to import a tabular model from PowerPivot into Analysis Services. Note that a PowerPivot model cannot be imported into an Analysis Services multidimensional model.

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Business intelligence (BI) analysts who have not yet done so will want to become conversant about PowerPivot for Excel, PowerPivot for SharePoint Services, Analysis Services Tabular, and Analysis Services Multidimensional. Follow the link below to learn more.

Source: Raja, N (2012, May 3). Choosing a Tabular or Multidimensional Modeling Experience in SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services. Microsoft TechNet.

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Detroit: Evidence of Decay

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Happy Thanksgiving 2013

To all my friends, colleagues, and family around the world, best wishes and regards to you and yours this Thanksgiving day!

From my front yard in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania...

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Well Said...

"If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present."

~ Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu (6th century BC)

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Four Horsemen: Documentary

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Veterans Day 2013

Sending my very best regards to all veterans of the US armed forces, and especially those with whom I had the privilege of serving during my military career.

My retirement flag from the US Army -- still serving...

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Bullying 24/7

The question asked at the end of this video translates as, "What if there was schoolyard bullying in the workplace?" Needless to say, the theme of adult-bullying carries throughout the clip.



For some, bullying is a way of life that extends into adulthood. Some call it prejudice -- others, bigotry. If only the world could get past this hurtful tactic that has left so much destruction in its path throughout human history. I regret that political bullying is the modern incarnation of this dark phenomenon. For example, television journalists today often resort to bullying their guests during live interviews. No wonder bullying in schools is such a problem. Ponder for a moment how and where children and young adults learn about bullying -- simply watch the many bullies covering the news on your television -- 24/7.

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US Employment to Population Ratio Hits 30-Year Low in October 2013

The US employment to population ratio fell to a 30-year low based on annual reporting through October 2013. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the US employment to population ratio* for October 2013 stood at 58.5%, down from 58.8% the previous month, and 59.0% the previous year. The last time the employment to population ratio was below 58.5% for October was in 1982. The US employment to population ratio has been trending downwards since 2000.

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Many economists believe that reporting the number employed as a percentage of the civilian population provides a more accurate description of the current state of employment than conjecturing the number of "unemployed" in a population. The US employment to population ratio reached an historical peak of 64.4% on an annual basis in 2000.

*The BLS defines employment and population (civilian noninstitutional) as follows:

Employment consists of all persons who, during the reference week (the calendar week including the twelfth day of the month), (a) did any work at all (at least 1 hour) as paid employees, worked in their own business or profession or on their own farm, or worked 15 hours or more as unpaid workers in an enterprise operated by a member of the family, or (b) were not working but had jobs or businesses from which they were temporarily absent because of vacation, illness, bad weather, childcare problems, maternity or paternity leave, labor-management dispute, job training, or other family or personal reasons, whether or not they were paid for the time off or were seeking other jobs.... The civilian noninstitutional population consists of persons 16 years of age and older residing in the 50 States and the District of Columbia who are not inmates of institutions (for example, penal and mental facilities and homes for the aged) and who are not on active duty in the Armed Forces.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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What is a Data Artisan?

According to The Data Artisan:

Data Artisans use internal and external data in order to answer questions and solve complex problems faced by organizations large and small. What separates a Data Artisan from a typical analyst is the variety of tools and sophisticated methods they employ to achieve their desired results, often under very tight deadlines.

Both creative and analytical by nature, Data Artisans use what they are given and then think outside the box in order to coax strategic and actionable intelligence from the streams of data at their disposal. Often, this found intelligence can only be realized once multiple, traditionally unconnected sources of data are merged in the Artisan's workflow....

There is no exact count of how many Data Artisans exist in the public and private sectors, but no doubt, they probably number less than 3,000 world-wide. Whether your organization employs one directly, utilizes the services of one as a consultant or has yet to hire one, rest assured, the Data Artisan is to the New Economy, what the Assembly Line was to the old.

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Source: The Data Artisan

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Well Said...

"Without privacy, there can be no democracy."

~ Dilma Rousseff

Dilma Vana Rousseff (1947- )

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Libertarianism and the "Tea Party"

The so-called "Tea Party" needs to shift away from its disorganized and incoherent political philosophy, and instead adopt the time-tested principles and values of Libertarianism, which is a very different conservative philosophy from Republicanism. Conservatives looking for a new home will want to consider abandoning the Republican party and joining the Libertarian party, which is the only party of reasoned principles, minimum government, and maximum liberty.

Republican jingoism and Democratic socialism are frightening prospects for ordinary Americans living along Main Street USA. Personally, I am more terrified of military-industrial Republicans and big government Democrats (who are in tacit league with each other) than I am of al-Qaeda. Libertarianism is the future of conservatism in America.

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What are T-Shaped Skills?

T-shaped
adj
Having skills and knowledge that are both deep and broad.

Source: Word Spy

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