It could always be worse
Because most of us don't have the benefit (like I do) of seeing how other associations are managing their data, we tend to think our situation is much worse than it really is. So I like to collect stories of organizations that really ARE in bad shape. Here's the latest example:
A Wall Street Journal article entitled "What Can’t the Internet Handle in 2022? Apostrophes" discusses how certain data management systems are unable to manage certain characters (e.g., umlauts in names).
One of the examples is Aer Lingus. From the article: "Aer Lingus’s booking system, called Astral, is nearly 60 years old and doesn’t cater to special characters." SIXTY YEARS OLD!
And what special character can't it handle? Apostrophes. This in a country where many surnames have apostrophes!
So when you really start feeling down about how bad your systems are, remember, it could always be worse! Your system could be 60 years old and not accept apostrophes!
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
Always, ALWAYS budget for more training
Always, ALWAYS budget for more training Always, ALWAYS budget for more training. I don’t know how else […]
We’ve always done it that way
We’ve always done it that way A couple of weeks ago I wrote about approving memberships, […]
Are you sure it doesn’t do that?
Are you sure it doesn’t do that? Even after 20 years of consulting, I’m surprised […]
Be grateful
Be grateful As Thanksgiving approaches here in the US, I’m reminded of two words: Be […]
Do you really need to approve them?
Do you really need to approve them? I often joke that the very best (because […]
Negativity bias is why we need database PR
Negativity bias is why we need database PR I’ve written before how cognitive biases can affect […]
A system change requires a culture change
A system change requires a culture change By its very nature, when you introduce a […]
Where is that data?
Where is that data? This is what data management nirvana looks like: When the question starts with […]
Be deliberate, but act quickly
Be deliberate, but act quickly Be deliberate, but act quickly. These are my words of […]
Why associations don’t like the “S” word
Why associations don’t like the “S” word A couple of weeks ago I asked my […]