Kudos, ACM!

Kudos to ACM for featuring two prominent Female Computer Scientists on in this month's Communications of the ACM (CACM) -- Jeannette Wing and Barbara Liskov (via Valerie Barr). I especially enjoyed reading Valerie's article about Barbara's keynote at Grace Hopper. Barbara is the second woman to win the Turing Award, which is basically the Nobel Prize for Computer Science. I liked this:

"Liskov talked about her technical work that ultimately led to the Turing Award. Much of her work was motivated by an interest in program methodology and the questions of how programs should be designed and how programs should be structured. So, after receiving the Turing Award, she went back and reread the old literature, discovering anew that there is great material in old papers and that her students were unaware of it. So, she is now pointing people to these papers and encouraging people to read them. 

For example, three key papers she cited are:

• Edsger Dijkstra, "Go To Considered Harmful," Communications of the ACM, Vol. 11, No. 3, March 1968, pp. 147–148.
• Niklaus Wirth, "Program Development by Stepwise Refinement," Communications of the ACM, Vol. 14, No. 4, April 1971, pp. 221–227.
• David Parnas, "Information Distribution Aspects of Design Methodology," IFIP Congress, 1971."

I recently had a similar "everything new is old again" epiphany. I was looking up a paper that everyone cited and realized it was far too recent. So I went down the citation rabbit hole and found the original paper, written over 30 years ago. And, wow, great ideas - but they completely got lost in the whisper-citation-down-the-lane effect.

Anyway, good stuff, check it out if you have the chance.

How sports clubs can learn from the business world

To paraphrase Charles Darwin, it is not the biggest, toughest, physically strongest, or most athletic that survive but rather those who adapt and develop in difficult times. Applying this thought to sports clubs and to sport in general  - what can we learn from business that will make sport more visible, vibrant and viable?

 In our latest blogpost, Gordon Clark of Sport Wales poses 7 questions to clubs:

·         Does your club have a fundraising strategy that is not reliant on grants? A strong, healthy business must generate profit to survive. Profit is not a dirty word rather it is essential if clubs are to continue to offer healthy community opportunities.

·         What can you do to increase your range of income streams? Have you considered corporate social leagues or tournaments, car boot sales, regular keep fit sessions in your clubhouse etc? A business that has a diverse range of income streams or product lines can better survive a downturn if there is a particular dip in one particular area. 

·         Is your club visible in the local community and beyond? The day of the poster is dead so what is your club doing to raise its profile and encourage new members? Businesses are committing significant resource to maximising the impact of social media marketing. Clubs can do the same – are you putting yourself out there via Facebook and Twitter etc?

·         Do you know who your competitors are and is your offer better value? Customers have the choice to purchase goods and services from other suppliers and this is the same for joining clubs - especially when there is a number of similar clubs nearby, jostling for the same market.

·         Is the experience that your members receive better than that of the competition? Sports clubs are in the experience business so what experience does a parent and child have when they turn up for the first time? Is any thought given to how you can convert this initial contact into a regular purchase / member or is it just expected?

• Does your club have a club development plan? Planning ahead is vital to building a sustainable sports club as much as any business. If the club committee does not have a clear plan for the future and the membership does not have a clear understanding, how will you take advantage of any opportunities that arise? 

What should be added to this list? Let us know what you think...and while you're at it, you might want to look at our club resources

How to be a great captain

Welsh golfer Nigel Edwards has just captained the GB & Ireland team to victory at the 2011 Walker Cup.

In our latest guest blog, he shares his key success factors that he shared with the team before they went on to triumph on the Balgownie Links of Royal Aberdeen Golf Club.

 TEAM

·         Golf is more often than not an individual sport. When we come together it’s important to build that team spirit.

·         I stress with the players that each person has an effect on the team so it is important to have a positive attitude

·         I make sure that the different pairings  socialise and spend time in each other’s company

·         Everyone has to be part of the team. The players need to feel part of the team. The very best players in the team have a role to play as well as those players who aren’t playing so well. Those playing well have a responsibility to lead the team and support those not playing so well and likewise those not playing so well have to support the others.

·         A player is rested not dropped – the players and management need to understand this process. The player that is rested has to support and cheer on the others for the good of the team. One player cannot win the Walker Cup. However, one player can ensure the team loses the Walker Cup.

·         Egos have to be left at the door – players will not always be able to do what they want to do. They won’t be able to practice on their time frame.

·         I ask players to play their own game and not to do anything different to any other week.

·         Expect your opponents to play well and hit good shots, expect them to hole putts but don’t be in awe.

·         Fit in to the team, accept you will have to do “other” things, this is not just about YOU.

·         I don’t expect any whingeing or complaints – whether it’s about hotel, food, missed putts etc

NERVES

·         Handle the nerves, don’t be afraid of them, everyone will be nervous so be prepared for them and DEAL with them when they come. Accept the facts and hit one shot at a time and don’t get caught up in what’s going on around you.

·         Don’t let selectors and outside influences affect your play. Embrace it and prove your qualities.

·         Nerves help you to focus.

·         Nerves bring a clarity of thought.

DISCIPLINE

·         Golf is not a game of Perfect by Dr Bob Rotella.

·         Discipline is being able to do simple things day after day, week after week, year after year.

·         Discipline is key to any professional athlete – training, nutrition, practice etc

·         Just focuses on the target

ATTITUDE

·         A great attitude is key to success – before, during and after a round or tournament.

·         Stick to your routine on every shot.

·         You should be fresh to go when you wake up.

ENJOYMENT

·         This week will be one of the greatest experiences of your lives. You are in a very privileged position of being a Walker Cup player.

·         YOU ARE SPECIAL

·         I want you all to have a great week, this is a really enjoyable experience and I have been privileged to have been part of four teams, two winning teams and I can honestly say that you will look back on this week with great memories. Friends you make on the opposing team and friends you make through golf.

·         There will be thousands of people out there wishing and wanting you to do well and wanting you to hit great golf shots, hole long putts and be successful.

·         Lads ENJOY this wonderful experience.

What do you think? How do you inspire and prepare a team?