Samsung Blackjack...its great, but not perfect

I'm currently using the Samsung Blackjack, but have found a few problems:

• Battery life is not good with the "small" battery, so you need the larger one and the extended back plate...there goes the size and weight.
• The Blackjack can't be charged with the USB cable if the batteries are dead or if the phone is off. The USB connection only works if the phone is on. I travel and like taking USB cables rather than all of the device chargers. This approach is especially useful when traveling internationally -- just one power adapter on the laptop and everything else charges via USB cables.
• No headset jack. I'm a big Bluetooth user and in most cases this works just fine. However, I like keeping a backup cabled headset for those times when the batteries die and I still need to be hands free.

Finding the Right Bluetooth Headset

I travel quite a bit and end up in many noisy places where I need to make and take phone calls. I've used several headsets, but none have performed well in this environment. However, I recently have seen quite a bit of information on Jawbone, a headset that reduces the noise you hear and the noise the other end hears. See Information Week article. I also received a solid recommendation from a friend, Mike, who also has had similar problems. Will be getting this device shortly and add my two cents on how it works.

Beyond the Workplan

In a consulting engagement you create a workplan to "solve the problem." However, it is always good to remember that it's not all about the workplan, you need to stay on top of the situation and...

1. Have a hypothesis as to where the problem and answer lie.
2. Understand where the client believes the problem and answer lie.
3. Create a plan to directly address 1 & 2.

Reinventing the Wheel

In a discussion with Steve Gunby, head of BCG North America, we addressed a client situation where they just wanted us to "provide the answer" from similar work in other industries -- the client didn't want us to "reinvent the wheel." Steve's response was quite good: You're right, we don't want to reinvent the wheel, so there is some basic structure we'll use from the other work, BUT we don't know what type of wheel we're trying to create for you...bicycle, car or airplane...so we must solve your specific problem.

Five Questions to Ask in a New Situation

I found a set of questions that a new CEO should ask of direct reports to get a feel for the environment. I found them to applicable to most situations where you're entering, so here are the qquestions to ask of those around you when entering a new situation...

1. What are the 3 most important things to preserve & why?
2. What are the 3 most important things to change & why?
3. What are you most hopeful that I will do?
4. What are you most concerned I might do?
5. What advice to do you have for me?