# Phil Simon > Phil Simon is a Notion and Claude geek, dynamic public speaker, award-winning author of 14 books, and founder of Racket Publishing. Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts. Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`). ## Pages ### Books URL: https://www.philsimon.com/books/ Last updated: 2026-08-09T21:58:10.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/08/books-1.png) ## Books I have penned 14 non-fiction texts—five of which have won [awards](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/awards). This page provides synopses of each of them and links to their individual pages. After churning out so many, in mid-2022 I started ghostwriting books for [my clients](https://www.philsimon.com/services-ghostwriting/). I have completed two full-length nonfiction texts so far. If you need a seasoned partner, we should chat. [CONNECT](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) ## “The book to read is not the one that thinks for you but the one which makes you think.” —Harper Lee ### The Future of Work - [The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace](#14) - [Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications](#13) - [Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace](#12) - [Reimagining Collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and the Post-COVID World of Work](#11) ### For Dummies Books - [Zoom For Dummies](#10) - [Slack For Dummies](#9) ### The First Eight - [Analytics: The Agile Way](#8) - [Message Not Received: Why Business Communication Is Broken and How to Fix It](#7) - [The Visual Organization: Data Visualization, Big Data, and the Quest for Better Decisions](#6) - [Too Big to Ignore: The Business Case for Big Data](#5) - [The Age of the Platform: How Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google Have Redefined Business](#4) - [The New Small: How a New Breed of Small Businesses Is Harnessing the Power of Emerging Technologies](#3) - [The Next Wave of Technologies: Opportunities in Chaos](#2) - [Why New Systems Fail: An Insider’s Guide to Successful IT Projects](#1) ### [Other Contributions](#other) I've contributed to a number of other publications in different ways. ## The Future of Work My last four books are all part of a series. Click on the links below to visit each book's individual page. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/The-Nine--The-Tectonic-Forces-Reshaping-the-Workplace.jpg) #### The Nine 🏆 ****The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace** The workplace is undergoing a series of massive, irrevocable changes. Make no mistake: it will never be the same. **The Nine* also explains what you can do to prepare for the inevitable. In 2024, it won [two Axiom awards](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/the-nine-wins-axiom-awards/?ref=philsimon.com). [LEARN MORE](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-the-nine/?ref=philsimon.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/13r.jpg) #### Low-Code/No-Code ****Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications** Learn why the future of coding is no coding at all. [LEARN MORE](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-low-code-no-code/?ref=philsimon.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/Project-Management-in-the-Hybrid-Workplace.jpg) #### Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace 🏆 Number 12 looks at how we manage projects and launch products in remote and hybrid settings. In it, I fuse critical research and concepts from a slew of diverse and seemingly unrelated fields, including Agile software development, human resources, supply chain management, cognitive psychology, organizational behavior, and labor economics. Brimming with detailed case studies, penetrating insights, and practical advice, **Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace* is an [award-winning](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/announcements/project-management-award/) tour de force. [LEARN MORE](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-project-management-in-the-hybrid-workplace/?ref=philsimon.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/Reimagining-Collaboration.jpg) #### Reimagining Collaboration 🏆 ****Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and the Post-COVID World of Work** Sadly, most folks use Microsoft Teams, Slack, or other internal collaboration hubs as E-mail 2.0\. In the process, they miss out on their massive benefits. The same holds true if you view Zoom as just a souped-up version of Skype. My [award-winning](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/announcements/reimagining-collaboration-axiom-award/) eleventh book explains how these new tools allow us to collaborate in unprecedented ways. What’s more, they can transform how we work—independently and, most importantly, with others. They can also simplify business processes, increase organizational transparency, make us more productive, and much, much more. [LEARN MORE](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-reimagining-collaboration/?ref=philsimon.com) ## *For Dummies* Guides ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/zfd.jpg) #### Zoom For Dummies Number ten covers Zoom—the suite of communication and collaboration tools that [exploded in popularity](https://venturebeat.com/2020/04/02/zooms-daily-active-users-jumped-from-10-million-to-over-200-million-in-3-months/?ref=philsimon.com). To be sure, my focus is on Zoom’s flagship Meetings & Chat tool. Still, I also cover the other arrows in Zoom’s formidable quiver: Zoom Video Webinars, Zoom Phone, and Zoom Rooms. If **Zoom For Dummies* doesn’t seem like a short book, trust your instincts. More than just a basic user guide, the book provides tips on how to securely use Zoom from bad actors. I also explain how to extend the application's already powerful native functionality with [an increasing array of popular third-party apps](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/communication/zoom-app-explosion/). [LEARN MORE](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-zoom-for-dummies?ref=philsimon.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/Slack-For-Dummies.jpg) #### Slack For Dummies My ninth book covers today’s über-powerful, popular, and flexible workplace communications and collaboration tool. Yes, I’m talking about Slack. **Slack For Dummies* is nothing short of the definitive, full-color guide on how the applications works. More than that, though, the book covers ways to extend it with third-party apps. It provides tips for using Slack effectively. Want to secure Slack from prying eyes? Check. Finally, the book demonstrates how to use Slack to build an organizational knowledge repository and overcome employee resistance to it. [LEARN MORE](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-slack-for-dummies?ref=philsimon.com) ## The First Eight ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/Analytics-The-Agile-Way.jpg) #### Analytics ****The Agile Way** The **ocho* explores how Google, Nextdoor, and an increasing number of intelligent organizations are approaching analytics. Rather than attempting to do everything at once, they are employing Agile methods, much like what software developers have done for years. In the process, they are seeing results and gaining valuable insights far faster than their competitors. [LEARN MORE](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-analytics-the-agile-way?ref=philsimon.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/08/MNR_COVER.jpg) #### Message Not Received 🏆 ****Why Business Communication Is Broken and How to Fix It** My [award-winning](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/announcements/message-not-received-wins-axiom-award/) seventh book examines how we communicate, use, and often misuse language and technology at work. We send way too much e-mail and use far too much jargon. It’s time for us to examine not only what we say, but how we say it. [LEARN MORE](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-message-not-received?ref=philsimon.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/tvo.jpg) #### The Visual Organization ****Data Visualization, Big Data, and the Quest for Better Decisions** Progressive organizations like eBay, Netflix, Wedgies, the University of Texas, and others are using interactive dataviz tools and Big Data to ask better questions and make business decisions. My sixth book explores how. [LEARN MORE](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-the-visual-organization?ref=philsimon.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/Too-Big-to-Ignore.jpg) #### Too Big to Ignore ****The Business Case for Big Data** Number five looks at the nascent trend of Big Data and explains why it’s such a big deal. In plain English, I describe the genesis and applications of Big Data. I detail a wide variety of ways in which intelligent organizations are using it today. More than a decade after its publication, I’m pleased to say that this conceptual, jargon-free, and accessible book still holds up. [LEARN MORE](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-too-big-to-ignore?ref=philsimon.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/The-Age-of-the-Platform.jpg) #### The Age of the Platform 🏆 ****How Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google Have Redefined Business** My [award-winning](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/announcements/the-age-of-the-platform-wins-award/ "Axiom Award") fourth creation examines the most important business model in business today: the platform. I focus on how four companies have embraced platforms, ecosystems, APIs, and external development–and how they have achieved amazing results. [LEARN MORE](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-the-age-of-the-platform?ref=philsimon.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/TNS.jpg) #### The New Small ****How a New Breed of Small Businesses Is Harnessing the Power of Emerging Technologies** My third book examines the ability of increasingly tech-savvy small businesses to do things that were simply impossible even five years ago. Through the course of eleven engaging case studies, I demonstrate that small is the new big. [LEARN MORE](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-the-new-small?ref=philsimon.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/NWOT.jpg) #### The Next Wave of Technologies ****Opportunities in Chaos** My follow-up opus—and first with Wiley— describes how, when it comes to enterprise technology, organizations are **finally* getting with the times. That is, they are moving beyond simple e-mail, ERP, CRM, and BI stalwarts. They are adopting emerging enterprise technologies such as open-source software, SaaS, mobility, cloud computing, master data management, and others. **The Next Wave of Technologies* serves as a primer for successfully navigating what many have called **Enterprise 2.0*. [LEARN MORE](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-the-next-wave-of-technologies?ref=philsimon.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/Why-New-Systems-Fail.jpg) #### Why New Systems Fail ****An Insider’s Guide to Successful IT Projects (2nd Edition)** My first book provides an inside look at IT projects that broke bad. Really bad. Culled from the decade I spent implementing new enterprise systems, this no-holds-barred book offers oodles of advice on how to minimize the chance of system failures. [LEARN MORE](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-why-new-systems-fail?ref=philsimon.com) ### Other Contributions - One of my HBR articles appears in [*Agile: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review*](https://amzn.to/2Tp2StQ?ref=philsimon.com). - Nine total chapters from *Zoom For Dummies* and *Slack For Dummies* appear in [*Working From Home For Dummies*](https://www.amazon.com/Working-Home-Dummies-Powers/dp/1119748496/ref=sr%5F1%5F3?dchild=1&keywords=working+from+home+for+dummies&qid=1603389064&sr=8-3&ref=philsimon.com). So there's that. - I edited and contributed to the 2011 book [*101 Lightbulb Moments in Data Management*](https://www.amazon.com/101-Lightbulb-Moments-Data-Management/dp/0982930291?ref=philsimon.com). 📘 Click [here](https://www.amazon.com/stores/Phil-Simon/author/B002FP9IBA?ref=phil-simon.ghost.io&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs%5Fid=ddfd538c-3e63-4f98-b3ef-4ac51c990b3d) to see my Amazon page. ### Blog URL: https://www.philsimon.com/blog/ Last updated: 2026-02-22T18:00:20.000Z ![Keyboard image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/08/invert-keyboard-6-3.png) ## Blog I write about [AI](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/ai), [the future of work](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/the-future-of-work), [low-code/no-code](https://www.philsimon.com/category/blog/lc-nc/), [collaboration](https://www.philsimon.com/category/blog/communication/), [communication](https://www.philsimon.com/category/blog/communication/), [technology](https://www.philsimon.com/category/blog/technology/), and other topics. I pepper my posts with humor and pop-culture references. Oh, and I freakin’ despise [jargon](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/jargon) and weak writing. Since 2008, I’ve penned thousands of posts, more than 1,400 of which live on this site. Click [here](https://www.philsimon.com/blog-index/) to see the blog's index and [here](https://www.philsimon.com/rss/) to access its RSS feed. #### I see an emoji near a blog post. What does it signify? 🌍 = Public content that anyone can view without signing up for any plan. 🎁 = Reading the whole post requires creating a Free account & logging in to it. ➕ = Reading the whole post requires creating a Plus account & logging in to it. ⭐️ = Reading the whole post requires creating a Premium account & logging in to it. ### Home: Phil Simon URL: https://www.philsimon.com/phil-simon/ Last updated: 2026-08-09T17:28:46.000Z #### I build systems, tools, and automations for the modern workplace. I'm one of the world's foremost independent experts on workplace tech. Since 1996, I have excelled at building bespoke systems and tools. These days, I focus on [Notion](https://www.philsimon.com/services-notion-development/) and Claude. When I'm not creating cool things, I wear a few other hats. Organizations [hire me](https://www.philsimon.com/services/) to give [keynote talks](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking), usually after someone reads one of my [books](https://www.philsimon.com/books). Finally, there's [Racket Publishing](https://www.racketpublishing.com/?ref=philsimon.com). I [ghostwrite](https://www.philsimon.com/services-ghostwriting/) and otherwise help successful professionals bring [award-winning](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/the-catalysts-wins-axiom-award/?ref=philsimon.com) prescriptive nonfiction books to market. ### Book: The Visual Organization URL: https://www.philsimon.com/book-the-visual-organization/ Last updated: 2026-02-20T02:34:36.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/tvo.jpg) # The Visual Organization ## Data Visualization, Big Data, and the Quest for Better Decisions ## Buy the Book [AMAZON](https://www.amazon.com/Visual-Organization-Visualization-Decisions-Business/dp/1118794389?tag=philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com) [B&N](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-visual-organization-phil-simon/1124331375?ref=philsimon.com) ## “Simon somehow has the uncanny knack to offer sage advice for both IT and business professionals and bedeck it in a fantastic narrative.” —Douglas Laney, VP Information Innovation, Gartner and author of **Infonomics* #### About the Book ℹ️ ****Publication date:** March 24, 2014 ****Publisher:** Wiley ****Translations:** Chinese We live in a world of Big Data and far too few organizations and their employees are doing anything about it. As I discussed in [**Too Big to Ignore*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-too-big-to-ignore/ "Too Big to Ignore"), the opportunities are massive. Great, but how do most folks interact with all of this information? This new world requires different tools. I’m talking about ones that let us: - Find the needles buried in the haystacks. - Understand immense and dynamic datasets. - Ultimately make better business decisions. Beyond new applications, though, visual organizations embrace a new mindset—one predicated on data discovery and exploration. As is my style, the book contains plenty of what I think are interesting case studies. This is no theoretical text; I accentuate practice over theory. Examples include Netflix, AutoDesk, eBay, the University of Texas, and Vegas startup Wedgies. This is **not* a book about how to visualize data. Rather, it is a book about visual organizations and how to become one. #### Trailer What’s the book about in three minutes? Watch below to find out. #### Praise “As we’ve come to expect from him, Phil doesn’t just write about a topic. Instead, he explores it deeply, connecting it to the business, technology, and societal world around us. Somehow he has the uncanny knack to offer sage advice for both IT and business professionals–this time about visual data expression–and bedeck it in a fantastic narrative.” **–Douglas Laney, VP Information Innovation, Gartner** --- “There’s good news in this dazzling book. Yes, Big Data is overwhelming, but progressive organizations have found a way to identify the signal in its noise. Through a mix of analysis and synthesis, Simon demonstrates how it’s possible to see not only the forest, but the trees.” **–Brad Feld, Foundry Group Managing Director and co-author, *Startup Life*** --- “Employees and managers need to know what’s happening in their organizations. There is data everywhere, but how many of us actually use it to drive our work? People learn in different ways, and for many, a visual approach is most powerful. Unfortunately, most organizations have overlooked the opportunity in the visual presentation of data. With *The Visual Organization*, no longer is there an excuse for doing so. Simon offers a nuanced and refreshing view on contemporary data visualization through compelling storytelling, and yes, great visuals.” **–Terri Griffith, Chair, Management Department, Santa Clara University and author of *The Plugged-In Manager*** --- “Once again, Phil Simon has raised the bar. Like his other books, *The Visual Organization* takes a very current topic and instructs the reader on what not only what is being done, but what can be done. Simon provides a wealth of advice and examples, demonstrating how organizations can move from data production to data consumption and, ultimately, to action.” **–Tony Fisher, author of *The Data Asset* and Vice President Data Collaboration and Integration, Progress Software** --- “The fourth wave of computing is upon us, and the visualization of information has never been more important. *The Visual Organization* arrives just in time. Simon’s book helps enterprises learn from and adapt to this new adapt world. A must-read.” **–Larry Weber, Chairman and CEO of Racepoint Global and best-selling author** --- “It’s clear that Big Data is transforming business. Less clear until now, however, is how companies can fully leverage its power to generate breakthrough insights. Phil Simon’s deft exploration of data visualization will change the way you see the world.” **–Dorie Clark, Author of *Reinventing You* and adjunct professor, Duke University Fuqua School of Business** --- “*The Visual Organization* superbly shows the potential of data visualization and how it can spark an organization’s imagination. As Simon makes clear, visualization is how organizations can ask the right questions needed to create real value from their big data efforts; instead of fumbling about with them as too many do today.” **—Robert Charette, President, ITABHI Corporation** --- “In *Too Big to Ignore*, Phil Simon introduced us to the rapidly emerging world of Big Data. In this book, he tackles how we need to see, handle, and present this mountain of information, one unlike the old, familiar, transaction data that business people know quite well. *The Visual Organization* shines a much-needed light on how businesses are using contemporary data visualization tools.” **–Brian Sommer, Enterprise Software Industry Analyst, ZDNet Contributor, and CEO of TechVentive, Inc.** --- “The sheer amount of data coming at us these days is overwhelming companies both small and large. It’s no wonder that so many miss out on the opportunities right in front of them. *The Visual Organization* manifests how a wide range of companies is leveraging new and powerful visual tools. Read it and turn your company into a more efficient, data-driven, decision-making machine.” **–Frank Gruber, CEO & Co-Founder, Tech Cocktail and author of *Startup Mixology*** --- “A rollicking and incisive tour of the organizations pioneering the next big thing: putting visual data at the center of the enterprise. Simon’s highly readable account points the way towards incorporating visualization into your own endeavors.” **–Todd Silverstein, Entrepreneur and founder, Vizify** --- “In this book, Phil Simon lays out the case for making visualization an organizational priority. He outlines the mind-set, toolsets, and visual concepts that will enable companies to complete the transition and become a visual organization. The intertwining of visualization and other analytic competencies becomes quickly apparent, as it should. After all, visualization is a way to increase peoples’ understanding and comprehension of analytics. Anyone trying to get their organization to take visualization seriously should take a look at this book.” **–Bill Franks, Chief Analytics Officer, Teradata and author of *Taming The Big Data Tidal Wave*** --- “Data visualization is a secret sauce for visionary executives in today’s time-starved economy. Simon’s book provides the Rosetta Stone on how to get there.” **–Adrian C. Ott, award-winning author of *The 24-Hour Customer* and CEO, Exponential Edge** --- “Sure, Big Data is cool, but how can it move the needle? Today, it’s essential to uncover insights far too often unseen, but how do you actually do that? *The Visual Organization* answers those questions—and more–in spades. Simon demonstrates how, when done correctly, dataviz promotes not only understanding, but action.” **–Bill Schmarzo, CTO, EMC Global Services. Author of *Big Data: Understanding How Data Powers Big Business*** --- “Through fascinating case studies and stunning visuals, *The Visual Organization* demystifies data visualization. Simon charts the transformative effects of dataviz. Only through new tools and a new mind-set can organizations attempt to compete in a rapidly changing global environment.” **–Chris Chute, Global Director, IDC** --- “Today data is the new oil. Organizations need ways to quickly make sense of the mountains of data they are collecting. Bottom line: today visualization is more important than ever. *The Visual Organization* is a checkpoint on current dataviz methods. Simon’s book represents insightful thought leadership that is sure to help any organization compete in an era of Big Data.” **–William McKnight, author of *Information Management: Strategies for Gaining a Competitive Advantage with Data*** #### Press Here’s the [press release](https://ht.ly/uxYtc?ref=philsimon.com "Press Release - The Visual Organization") for the book. Also, you can read and listen to some recent interviews I’ve given on the book below. I’ll keep this list updated as a type of one-stop-shopping. ****Updated 02.28.17** - [All Analytics](https://www.allanalytics.com/radio.asp?doc%5Fid=268679&gateway%5Freturn=true&ref=philsimon.com "All Analytics") interview - [Analytics Bridge](https://www.analyticbridge.com/group/books/forum/topics/new-book-the-visual-organization-data-visualization-big-data-and-?ref=philsimon.com "AB piece") - [Barry Moltz Interview](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/smallbusinessunstuck/2014/03/07/264-joe-mccormack-phil-simon-bob-epperly-shawn-shewchuk?ref=philsimon.com "Moltz Interview") - [Baseline Mag](https://www.baselinemag.com/analytics-big-data/slideshows/data-visualization-making-sense-of-big-data.html/?ref=philsimon.com "Baseline Magazine - The Visual Organization") slide show - [BrandWatch interview on **The Visual Organization*](https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/interview-phil-simon-on-the-importance-of-becoming-a-visual-organization/?ref=philsimon.com) - [Breakthrough Business Radio](https://whoismicheleprice.com/shape-of-your-data-bbsradio/?ref=philsimon.com) - [Techopedia: The Joy of Dataviz—The Data You Weren’t Looking For](https://www.techopedia.com/2/31787/trends/the-joy-of-data-viz-the-data-you-werent-looking-for?ref=philsimon.com) - [ClickZ review](https://www.clickz.com/clickz/column/2364326/data-visualization-big-data-and-the-quest-for-better-decisions-a-synopsis?ref=philsimon.com "ClickZ") - [Duct Tape Marketing Podcast](https://t.co/6BAhFQruQ2?ref=philsimon.com "Duct Tape") - [**Forbes’* ](https://ht.ly/uqFHd?ref=philsimon.com "Forbes' interview")[interview with Dorie Clark](https://ht.ly/uqFHd?ref=philsimon.com "Forbes' interview") - Fox News story on [TV and Big Data](https://www.foxnews.com/tech/2014/10/01/how-big-data-could-help-tv-networks-make-better-shows/?ref=philsimon.com "TV & Big Data") - **Fortune* article: [The next big thing in Big Data jobs: Dataviz](https://fortune.com/2014/05/02/the-next-big-thing-in-big-data-jobs-dataviz?ref=philsimon.com "Fortune") - [IBM podcast with David Pittman](https://www.ibmbigdatahub.com/podcast/visual-organization-interview-phil-simon?ref=philsimon.com "IBM Podcast") - [Inc. mention as a generally interesting book to read](https://www.inc.com/amy-whyte/four-april-business-books.html?ref=philsimon.com "Inc. Post") - Investors Business Daily: [Embrace Analytics, Powerfully Present Data Visually To Get An Edge](https://ht.ly/x1xj1?ref=philsimon.com "Embrace Analytics, Powerfully Present Data Visually To Get An Edge") - [InformationWeek](https://ht.ly/tsS7t?ref=philsimon.com "IW Interview") - [Michele Price Interview](https://whoismicheleprice.com/shape-of-your-data-bbsradio/?ref=philsimon.com "Michele Price") - [OCDQ Radio](https://t.co/BRZwFq2wYx%20?ref=philsimon.com "OCDQ Radio") - [Racepoint podcast](https://bit.ly/1rdNtbt%20?ref=philsimon.com "Racepoint") - [Recruiter.com article](https://t.co/iBBkYmuFog?ref=philsimon.com "Big Data - Recruiter.com") - [TechCocktail interview](https://techco.tl/1j77dWU?ref=philsimon.com "TechCocktail Interview") - [Terri Griffith review](https://terrigriffith.com/blog/visual-organization-review-phil-simons-new-book?ref=philsimon.com "Terri Griffith") - [**Wired* piece on Netflix and Dataviz](https://www.wired.com/insights/2014/03/big-data-lessons-netflix/?ref=philsimon.com "Wired - Netflix") - [University of Cal-Berkeley Interview](https://datascience.berkeley.edu/interview-author-phil-simon?ref=philsimon.com "UC Berkeley School of Information") - [Visually book review](https://blog.visual.ly/book-review-the-visual-organization-by-phil-simon/?ref=philsimon.com "Visual.ly Review") - [VizWorld Interview](https://www.vizworld.com/2014/04/the-visual-organization-an-interview-with-author-phil-simon/?ref=philsimon.com#sthash.b0qkzzxR.dpbs "VizWorld") - [Wedgies’ excerpt](https://blog.wedgies.com/post/75051616157/revenge-of-the-laggards-the-current-state-of-dataviz?ref=philsimon.com "Wedgies' Post") - [ZDNet interview](https://www.zdnet.com/the-visual-organization-new-book-by-phil-simon-7000026762/?ref=philsimon.com "ZDNet") #### Related Posts Go nuts [here](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/why-new-systems-fail/). #### Book Tour I went on a speaking tour to promote the book. Click [here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mrk6gSPRWYjhQE-5-tgwQLnvSHnbLkMLCPsfXrvLTAg/edit?usp=sharing&ref=philsimon.com) to see the dates and places. #### Excerpt Head over [here](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-excerpts/?ref=philsimon.com). #### In Gratitude Thanks to the bulk orders of SAS and Tableau, the book earned out immediately. ### Book: The Nine URL: https://www.philsimon.com/book-the-nine/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T09:39:28.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/image.png) # The Nine 🎗️ ### The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace Book IV: The Future of Work --- ## Buy the Book [AMAZON](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRTHYMKH?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com) [B&N](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/The%20Nine:%20The%20Tectonic%20Forces%20Reshaping%20the%20Workplace?ref=philsimon.com) [AUDIBLE](https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Nine-The-Tectonic-Forces-Reshaping-the-Workplace-Audiobook/B0C3SN7CTQ?qid=1767844457&sr=1-1&ref%5Fpageloadid=not%5Fapplicable&pf%5Frd%5Fp=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf%5Frd%5Fr=16H98GGB6VQ6QVEW4WKT&plink=DwGdoTLrmzdWmTp1&pageLoadId=53BYwIk9PJyozQJ2&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a%5Fsearch%5Fc3%5FlProduct%5F1%5F1) [APPLE](https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-nine-the-tectonic-forces-reshaping-the-workplace/id1682222742?ref=philsimon.com) [BOOKSHOP](https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-nine-the-tectonic-forces-reshaping-the-workplace-phil-simon/20694184?ref=philsimon.com) ## “A canny, insightful, and very readable take on the brave new world of work." —[Kirkus Reviews](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/phil-simon/the-nine-Simon/?ref=phil-simon.ghost.io) #### About the Book **Publication Date:** April 6, 2023 **Formats:** Hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook **Pages:** 284 **Publisher:** Racket Publishing --- As COVID has receded, companies such as Apple, Amazon, Google, Salesforce, and [Twitter](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/nov/10/elon-musk-scraps-twitter-work-home-staff?ref=philsimon.com) have severely restricted or even eliminated remote work. Ditto for countless, less iconic firms and small businesses. At a high level, executives and managers at these organizations are trying to turn back the clock to 2019. There's just one problem, though: For a bevy of reasons, they won’t succeed. In many ways, the workplace of 2023 **already* differs from its pre-pandemic counterpart. In some cases, it's downright unrecognizable. What’s more, this gap will only intensify in the coming years. Blame—or thank, if you like—powerful economic, societal, geopolitical, and technological forces. They include generative AI, automation, dispersed workforces, blockchain, immersive technologies, employee empowerment, and the return of systemic inflation. Brass tacks: The workplace is undergoing a massive, irrevocable shift. The only question for business leaders is, What should you do about it? In **The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace*, award-winning author and world-renowned workplace tech expert Phil Simon answers that question in spades. He peers into the dizzying and chaotic future of work. Simon slices through the hype surrounding nascent trends and newfangled technologies. Insightful, timely, and essential, **The Nine* clearly explains what’s really happening, why, and how business leaders can navigate the dramatically different workplace of the future. #### Awards 🏆 - Winner, 2024 Axiom Award, Business Technology (Gold) - Winner, 2024 Axiom Award, Business Commentary (Silver) What’s more, the book was a finalist in the Business: Technology category for the International Book Awards. Read the press release [here](https://web.archive.org/web/20231211051117/https://internationalbookawards.com/2023awardannouncement.html). #### Praise “In *The Nine*, Phil Simon adroitly lays out the current landscape of emerging technologies. Readers will quickly grasp the importance and effects of today’s most essential trends.” **—Jeremy Bailenson, Thomas More Storke Professor of Communication, Stanford University and author of *Experience on Demand*** --- “A must-read for every leader in every company. *The Nine* is a timely, realistic, inspiring, and sometimes scary book about the new world of work. Read it and weep (or reap)!” **—Jay Baer, coauthor of *Talk Triggers: The Complete Guide to Creating Customers with Word of Mouth*** --- “The past few years have been a blur of confusion for leaders and employees. Fortunately, Phil Simon cuts through the clutter and points out the few signals in the workplace you can’t afford to dismiss as noise.” **—David Burkus, author of *Best Team Ever* and *Leading From Anywhere*** --- “*The Nine* is a dynamic and essential book on the future of the workplace, deftly navigating the implications as a wave of new technology crashes into decades of tradition.” **—Alex Kantrowitz, host of the *Big Technology* podcast and author of *Always Day One: How the Tech Titans Plan to Stay on Top Forever*** --- “Technology, economy, business models … In *The Nine*, Simon pushes you beyond the five or six issues you likely have on your radar. You’ll gain a clearer view of the forces coming together and see new opportunities—and risks. Be prepared. Be ahead.” **—Terri Griffith, Keith Beedie Chair in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Simon Fraser University and author of *The Plugged-In Manager*** --- “In an increasingly complex world, Phil Simon does us a great service by simplifying the sources of the seismic shifts we see all around us. I dog-eared the crap out of it for future reference.” **—Karin Reed, CEO of Speaker Dynamics and coauthor of *Suddenly Hybrid: Managing the Modern Meeting*** --- “Never before has the workplace been as confusing and dynamic as it is today—and things will only intensify in the years ahead. Simon provides much-needed analysis, synthesis, and guidance.” **—Gerald C. Kane, C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry chair in business administration at the University of Georgia and co-author of *The Technology Fallacy*** --- “With *The Nine*, Phil Simon makes it clear that going back to normal isn’t feasible. He highlights the key forces driving the chaos that is upending how we work, from generative AI to automation. It can be tempting to yell, “Stop the ride, I want to get off.” But by cataloging each force and separating the hype from the substance, Phil also makes an optimistic case to embrace these forces, even though it means completely rethinking where we go from here.” **—Tom Fishburne, Creator of Marketoonist and author of *Your Ad Ignored Here*** --- “Provocative, bold, and insightful. The Nine is nothing short of a tour de force. Business leaders who ignore Simon’s latest creation do so at their own peril.” **—Brad Feld, partner at Foundry, co-founder of Techstars, author, runner, reader, and hermit** --- “Trying to make sense of emerging technology is like throwing a dart at a moving target. With *The Nine,* Phil Simon hits the bullseye—not just once, but nine times. Read this book and your future self—and your future employer—will thank you.” **—Simone Stolzoff, author of *The Good Enough Job*** #### Trailer What's the book about in 97 seconds? #### Press, Podcasts, and Interviews I went all-in on this one. - [**Work 20XX* podcast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68CBzPmsTN0&ref=philsimon.com "Work 20XX Podcast") - [**Thought Leadership Leverage* podcast](https://thoughtleadershipleverage.com/thought-leadership-podcasts/?ref=philsimon.com "TLL Pod") - [**The Best Business Minds*](https://vimeo.com/936872161?share=copy&ref=philsimon.com) With Marc Kramer - [Quartz: How will AI impact work? 4 questions we should be asking](https://qz.com/how-will-ai-impact-work-4-questions-we-should-be-askin-1850699877?ref=philsimon.com) - Fast Company: [Here’s how workers at companies like Accenture and Walmart are using virtual reality](https://www.fastcompany.com/90876215/how-workers-at-accenture-and-walmart-are-using-virtual-reality?ref=philsimon.com) - Inc: [7 Signs That We Have Entered the Age of Empowered Employees](https://www.inc.com/martin-zwilling/7-signs-that-we-have-entered-age-of-empowered-employees.html?ref=philsimon.com) - [**Economics for Business* podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/phil-simon-on-tectonic-changes-in-the-workplace/id1453233518?i=1000609973872&ref=philsimon.com) - [**Being Human*](https://www.firsthuman.com/podcast/255-the-nine-with-phil-simon/?ref=philsimon.com) pod - [Jack Rants](https://www.linkedin.com/events/thenine-thetectonicforcesreshap7115670069396824064/?ref=philsimon.com) (via LinkedIn) - [The Forces Reshaping the Workplace With Kevin Eikenberry](https://www.linkedin.com/events/7058799918185910272/comments/?ref=philsimon.com) - [How Tectonic Forces Are Reshaping the Future of Work](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z8oYMYgggA&ref=philsimon.com) - [DisrupTV Episode 321](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yle165vsd-w&ref=philsimon.com) (I’m the third and final guest on the show.) - [Allwork.Space **Future of Work* podcast](https://allwork.podbean.com/e/reimagining-the-workplace-with-phil-simon-hybrid-models-and-beyond/?ref=philsimon.com) - [**Accidental Creative* podcast](https://open.spotify.com/episode/53wcRRCS1Nd7eG8AM1XXJA?si=a087e3311ace4955&ref=philsimon.com "Accidental Creative podcast") - [American Banker podcast](https://www.americanbanker.com/podcast/remote-work-generative-ai-tech-trends-reshaping-work-in-banks?ref=philsimon.com "American Banker podcast") - [Not Your Parents’ Training: Immersive Tech Goes Prime Time](https://vrvoice.co/not-your-parents-training-immersive-tech-goes-prime-time/?ref=philsimon.com) - [The Rise of The Fractional CXO](https://chiefexecutive.net/moving-up-the-ladder-the-rise-of-the-fractional-cxo/?ref=philsimon.com) - The Globe and Mail: [Forget Moneyball. Analytics can be unhealthy, so watch how you measure](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/careers/management/article-forget-moneyball-analytics-can-be-unhealthy-so-watch-how-you-measure/?ref=philsimon.com "Forget Moneyball. Analytics can be unhealthy, so watch how you measure") - [**Behind the Cover* podcast](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/behind-the-cover/episodes/Phil-Simon-The-Nine-The-Tectonic-Forces-Reshaping-the-Workplace-e296pn4?ref=philsimon.com) - [**Beyond The To-Do List* podcast](https://www.beyondthetodolist.com/phil-simon-on-the-forces-reshaping-the-workplace/?ref=philsimon.com) - Porchlight Books: [Will Generative AI Replace Us?](https://www.porchlightbooks.com/blog/changethis/2023/the-nine?ref=philsimon.com "Will Generative AI Replace Us?") - [9 Forces That Will Reshape the Workplace](https://xeniumhr.com/blog/transform-your-workplace/9-forces-that-will-reshape-the-workplace/?ref=philsimon.com "9 Forces That Will Reshape the Workplace") - SAP Insights: [Going to the Office Every Day Is Over](https://www.sap.com/insights/viewpoints/going-to-the-office-every-day-is-over.html?ref=philsimon.com) - [**You Can Make It So* podcast](https://open.spotify.com/episode/3BWqMOP0i8TkMb9KdovlDs?si=4b779af10e13493e&ref=philsimon.com) - [**The Remarkable Leadership Podcast*](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-remarkable-leadership-podcast/id1135492154?ref=philsimon.com) - Josh Bernoff wrote [a complimentary post on the book](https://bernoff.com/blog/read-phil-simons-the-nine-the-tectonic-forces-reshaping-the-workplace-for-an-intriguing-peek-at-the-future-of-work?ref=philsimon.com) - [Fast Company: What oddly shaped conference room tables tell us about the future of work](https://www.fastcompany.com/90922359/what-oddly-shaped-conference-room-tables-tell-us-about-the-future-of-work?ref=philsimon.com) - [Reshaping the Workplace](https://youtube.com/live/CeoJXlb-aAY?ref=philsimon.com) - [Breakthroughs: Smart Strategies for Career/Business Growth](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/beth-kuhel/episodes/Phil-Simon-The-Nine-The-Tectonic-Forces-Reshaping-the-Workplace-e27bq5a/a-a57pj3?ref=philsimon.com) - Appearance on [**The Modern Banker* pod](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQSZqihEm9s&t=8s&ref=philsimon.com) - [Office Hours With David Meltzer](https://open.spotify.com/episode/4P2aWyroCSTZMB6J2jAu6H?si=xk%5FYqEcaQCWRW1cyVeNv3g&nd=1&ref=philsimon.com) #### Related Posts Go nuts [here](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/the-nine). #### Custom Editions Learn more [here](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/technology/custom-editions-the-nine-available). #### Excerpts Head over [here](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-excerpts/?ref=philsimon.com). #### Errata *Whoops.* --- **Page 24 (Fixed)** **Is:** **The Dropout* stars as the sociopathic CEO. **Should be:** **The Dropout* stars Amanda Seyfried as the sociopathic CEO. --- **Page 118 (Fixed, 04.06.2023)** **Is:** That number presents more than 80 percent of Alphabet’s annual revenue. **Should be:** That number **re**presents more than 80 percent of Alphabet’s annual revenue. --- **Page 138 (Fixed, 07.21.2023)** **Is:** When the commercial arrived… **Should be:** When the commercial web arrived… ### Book: Low-Code/No-Code URL: https://www.philsimon.com/book-low-code-no-code/ Last updated: 2026-03-18T02:55:13.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/lcnc.png) # Low-Code/No-Code ## Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications Book III: The Future of Work --- ## Buy the Book [AMAZON](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B9R48W99/ref=dbs%5Fa%5Fdef%5Frwt%5Fbibl%5Fvppi%5Fi0?ref=philsimon.com) [B&N](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/low-code-no-code-phil-simon/1142604659?ean=9798985814743&ref=philsimon.com) [APPLE](https://books.apple.com/us/book/low-code-no-code/id6445018426?ref=philsimon.com) [WALMART](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Low-Code-No-Code-Citizen-Developers-and-the-Surprising-Future-of-Business-Applications-Hardcover-by-Phil-Simon-9798985814750/2898649522?ref=philsimon.com) [BOOKSHOP](https://bookshop.org/p/books/low-code-no-code-citizen-developers-and-the-surprising-future-of-business-applications-phil-simon/fdf28b9d587509c4?ean=9798985814736&next=t&ref=philsimon.com) ## "The future of coding is ... no coding at all." #### —Chris Wanstrath, GitHub co-founder and former CEO #### About the Book ****Publication Date:** November 1, 2022 ****Formats:** Hardcover, paperback, and ebook ****Pages:** 278 ****Publisher:** Racket Publishing ****Translations:** [Korean](https://www.philsimon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/NoCode-Korean.jpeg) and Chinese For decades, our relationship with workplace technology has been, in a word, **complicated*. The pandemic only made it more so. The stats are astonishing. Two in three employers [can’t find qualified candidates to fill their open IT positions](https://www.pmi.org/citizen-developer?ref=philsimon.com). By 2024, [the deficit of software developers in the US alone will hit 500,000](https://www.forrester.com/report/How-To-Harness-Citizen-Developers-To-Expand-Your-ADD-Capacity/RES135701?ref=philsimon.com). Supply and demand for techies are out of whack and, most alarmingly, there’s no end in sight. The effects of this labor market imbalance are profound and difficult to overstate. Nearly three in four technology leaders [cannot focus on their strategic priorities](https://www.salesforce.com/content/dam/web/en%5Fus/www/assets/pdf/platform/salesforce-research-enterprise-technology-trends.pdf?ref=philsimon.com). Countless other firms, departments, teams, and leaders have struggled because IT can’t deliver the tools they so desperately need. Adding salt to the wound, business units now need new applications to address the logistical challenges posed by pervasive remote and hybrid work. Organizations are at a crossroads. They need to solve these thorny tech problems. Now. But how? Supply and demand for techies are out of whack and, most alarmingly, there’s no end in sight. In **Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications*, I square this circle. My thirteenth book deftly illustrates how, thanks to [powerful new tools](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/project-management/blocks-productivity-future-collaboration/) and a new breed of employees, organizations are finally fulfilling critical business needs and reducing their reliance on pricey software developers. **Low-Code/No-Code* is an invaluable treasure trove of insightful analysis, synthesis, examples, and advice. At the risk of being immodest, it has arrived at the perfect time. #### Praise and Recognition The book was a finalist in the Business: Technology category for the International Book Awards. Read the press release [here](https://internationalbookawards.com/2023awardannouncement.html?ref=philsimon.com). --- "I read all of Phil's books. As a software developer coming of age in the 1980s and early 1990s, I fondly remember tools like DataFlex, Microsoft Access, and Clarion. Phil shows how today's citizen developers can use low-code/no-code software in amazing ways while honoring the trajectory that got us here." **—Brad Feld, partner at Foundry, cofounder of Techstars, author, runner, reader, hermit, and nerd** --- “*Low-Code/No-Code* could not have arrived at a better time. Simon systematically identifies the most pressing issues that tech execs, app developers, and IT professionals face—and adeptly shows how to resolve them.” **—Gerald C. Kane, C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry chair in business administration at the University of Georgia and coauthor of *The Transformation Myth*** --- "Take it from me: The demand for new internal apps and tech has only intensified, but software engineers are more difficult to recruit and retain than ever. Something has to give. Fortunately, *Low-Code/No-Code* shows the path forward. New tools let subject matter experts become citizen developers and shoulder a good deal of the development burden. Get this book." **—Paul Maya, CTO, United States Tennis Association** --- "Phil Simon skillfully introduces citizen developers and the world of low-code/no-code software. This timely book fuses examples, capabilities, and stats—and with a sense of humor to boot. The result is a delightfully easy read that left me informed and inspired. An essential text for any curious self-starter." **—Denise Brouder, workplace futurist and founder at SWAY** --- "If you haven’t heard of low-code/no-code yet, rest assured: You will soon. The revolution is here, but we need a guide to effectively navigate it. Phil Simon's latest book on workplace technology is just the ticket. Ignore this well-researched, exceptionally relevant, and downright inspiring book at your own peril." **—Matt Wade, consultant and author** "Once again, Phil Simon makes a critical and emerging technology trend accessible. Chief executives, department heads, and project managers are just some of the folks who will benefit from this opportune and important book." --- **—Terri L. Griffith, Keith Beedie chair in innovation and entrepreneurship at Simon Fraser University and author of *The Plugged-In Manager*** --- "In *Low-Code/No-Code*, Phil Simon shares how the emergence of the new way of coding came to be. He emphatically yet elegantly states why it's imperative for both large and small organizations to start riding this wave today." **—Mike Vardy, productivity strategist and creator of TimeCrafting** --- "Monkeys randomly hitting keys on a typewriter for an infinite amount of time will almost surely produce *Hamlet*. Now imagine what smart people equipped with amazing tools will produce. For a more concrete way to understand the power of low-code/no-code, read this important book." **—Mike Schrenk, developer, consultant, and author** --- "As of now, the size of the low-code/no-code market is $15 billion—hefty, but a pittance compared to what it will soon become. I firmly believe that the next trillion-dollar company will be one of the existing no-code vendors that Phil Simon lists in his compelling new book. It is a must-read if you are interested in the future of software development." **—Jon Darbyshire, CEO and cofounder, SmartSuite** --- "Simon’s approach to introducing low-code no-code techniques into an organization is designed to encourage maximum adoption among end users and citizen developers. He describes the opportunities and warns of potential pitfalls you may discover along the way. As any experienced technology leader can attest, people and culture—rather than technology—are the real challenge of digital transformation. Simon knows this, and he weaves a story that brings together people, technology, and processes in just the right way. *Low-Code/No-Code* is an excellent and important contribution to one of the most significant trends in IT today." **—Michael Krigsman, publisher, CXOTalk** #### Trailer Watch a quick video that explains the big idea behind the book. #### Press, Pods, & Interviews ****Updated:** November 4, 2025 - [Interview: It’s an exciting time to be a citizen developer](http://en.jouvenot.com/its-an-exciting-time-to-be-a-citizen-developer/?ref=philsimon.com) - [Caspio Podcast: Shadow IT to Strategic Asset: Why Low Code Is More Than a Trend](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sM2SThFeGs&ref=philsimon.com) - Appearance on [**Low Down on Low-Code* pod](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSGYa2JRoX8&ref=philsimon.com) - [AgilePoint Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/episode/1bxq65lgpcXj0V7deyDWee?si=LLfXZ7YeSdCVnTO8ebnT9Q&ref=philsimon.com) - [Creatio Podcast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0mluD9OEUc&ref=philsimon.com) - [Coforge webinar](https://vimeo.com/796669427?ref=philsimon.com) - [Agile in Action pod](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-in-action-with-bill-raymond/id1516008955?ref=philsimon.com) - [**The Pursuit of Purpose* pod with Chris Kiefer](https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ns0JoH3hzX27AMKQt3xIv?si=tOGAosN2RaCJpPMywRgoPQ&%5Fbranch%5Fmatch%5Fid=1278045858847639448&utm%5Fsource=copy-link&utm%5Fmedium=sharing&%5Fbranch%5Freferrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXLy7IL8lMq9TLyczL1i%2FydyoOzHD3C%2FBKAgBWmD%2B7IAAAAA%3D%3D&nd=1&dlsi=912a422e9dff44e6 "Chris Kiefer") - [Caspio LC/NC Podcast](https://www.caspio.com/customer-interview/shadow-it-to-strategic-asset-why-low-code-is-more-than-a-trend/?ref=philsimon.com) #### Excerpts Head over [here](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-excerpts/?ref=philsimon.com). #### Custom Editions Click [here](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/announcements/custom-editions-low-code-no-code/) to learn more about obtaining them for your organization’s employees, customers, and prospects. #### FAQ ****Who are the book's intended audiences?** In no particular order, eight cohorts readily come to mind: 1. CIOs, IT VPs and directors, and those types of folks. 2. Heads of business units frustrated that IT can’t deliver the tools they need in a timely manner 3. Team leads. 4. Small business owners. 5. Millennials who want to up their skills. 6. Freelancers and solopreneurs who need to track different projects and clients. 7. Project managers. 8. Proper coders who would like to expedite their own development efforts. ****How much prior coding knowledge do I need to benefit from this book?** Precisely zero. #### Related Posts Go nuts [here](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/lcnc-book/). #### The Book Visualized ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/01/1.jpeg) Courtesy of Google Nano Banana #### Errata ****Page 73** Footnote is: 𝚑𝚝𝚝𝚙𝚜://𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚢𝚞𝚛𝚕.𝚌𝚘𝚖/𝙻𝙲/𝙽𝙲𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚙𝚜. It should be 𝚑𝚝𝚝𝚙𝚜://𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚢𝚞𝚛𝚕.𝚌𝚘𝚖/𝙻𝙲𝙽𝙲𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚙𝚜. ****eBook (fixed November 22, 2022) Kindle Only** “Zapping Payment Issue.” should be “Zapping Payment Issues.” Fixed. Endnote: 29 Phil Simon. 2021\. “Automation in Action.” airSlate. June 22, 2021\. https://tinyurl.com/2je3j9u. URL should be 𝚑𝚝𝚝𝚙𝚜://𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚢𝚞𝚛𝚕.𝚌𝚘𝚖/2𝚓𝚎3𝚓9𝚞𝚐. ### Services: Notion Development URL: https://www.philsimon.com/services-notion-development/ Last updated: 2026-08-05T21:43:40.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/06/invert-notion-12-Background-Removed.png) ## Custom Notion Development Bespoke and customizable databases and systems to easily run your business, team, or project. ### Contents - [Background: A Career in Systems Development](#background) - [A Holistic Development Philosophy](#philosophy) - [Why Notion?](#why-notion) - [Recent Notion Projects](#recent-projects) - [FAQ](#faq) ## Background: A Career in Systems Development I have been working with different systems, reporting tools, website builders, and databases since 1996\. (Yikes.) I began by building bespoke systems, databases, and automation tools with [Microsoft Access](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/technology/why-microsoft-access-2007-sucks/). Some of my solutions addressed simple business problems; others, quite frankly, hurt my head and took months to complete. Even today, some of my decades-old creations remain alive and well. ****If It Ain't Broke, Why Fix It?** I have often built systems that addressed my clients' ephemeral needs. In those cases, no one expected one of my creations to last beyond a few months or maybe a year—least of all me. A few times during my career, though, I returned years later to a client to find that my database, solution, or temporary system remained firmly in place. I'd smile and ask my clients why they hadn't retired a stopgap that was supposed to last six months or a year. “Your system still works,” they'd tell me. “No need to upset the applecart.” As Craig Bruce once famously said, “Temporary solutions often become permanent problems.” I haven’t touched Access in a decade, but I reflect on the fifteen years in which I used it almost every day. Its general concepts translate well to more contemporary applications, such as the ones I describe in my book [*Low-Code/No-Code*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-low-code-no-code/)*.* ## A Holistic Development Philosophy A tech-centric approach to system development and change management rarely bears successful outcomes. In other words, people matter. Involving them early and often in the process helps avoid [the human-driven ](https://www.philsimon.com/no-code-case-study-failure/)issues that plague these types of projects. Specifically, to make the most out of any system, it's imperative to do each of the following: - [Carefully define and structure your data](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/data/big-data/beauty-structured-data/). - Resist the temptation to dump every field into a single massive table. - Understand how database development frequently resembles [tattoos](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/data/data-issues/on-databases-and-tattoos/). - Train people on how to use the new system properly. - Hold people accountable when they don’t. [CLICK HERE TO WATCH MY NOTION YOUTUBE VIDEOS](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2CXnIKVkgkW%5Feg3woZcRIez85-x07zMa&ref=philsimon.com) ## Why Notion? These days, I develop systems and tools in my favorite magnet app: [Notion](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/notion). Anyone who has read *Low-Code/No-Code* knows how much I dig it. (Yeah, I've been to [the company's annual conference](https://makewithnotion.com/?ref=philsimon.com).) Notion is a powerful tool for organizing all types of information—even if you're unfamiliar with the rudiments of building databases. Never heard of a relational database, database schemas, entity relationship diagrams, primary and surrogate keys, or one-to-many relationships? No worries. In the hands of experienced developers like me, you never have to know any of these concepts. [Phil Simon: On Blocks and the Future of Collaboration and ProductivityWhat comes after Google Docs? Richer, more collaborative documents.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/cropped-newlogo-15.png)Phil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/Animation-1700612227344.gif)](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/project-management/blocks-productivity-future-collaboration/) ## Recent Notion Projects Some of my recent projects include: - Building a bespoke event management system for a nonprofit. - Creating systems for [PR firms](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/publicity-tracking-mess/?ref=philsimon.com) and [VC firms](https://www.philsimon.com/notion-vc-investments/). - Building a tool that automatically pulled near-real-time book sales into a Notion database. - A[ soup-to-nuts book-management system](https://www.racketpublishing.com/products/rackethub/?ref=philsimon.com) that helps authors, book coaches, publishers, and ghostwriters efficiently churn out a quality nonfiction text. [Early Notion Worker LessonsWhat I’ve learned noodling with this powerful new functionality.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/300br-1-b4cf5a82-fe1d-4142-a1bd-22a9fc3a7da0.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/three_different_computers_connected_by-9093f84d-6445-4436-8d6f-3d61a1d77c67.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/early-notion-worker-lessons/) ## “Phil quickly built a custom Notion solution to meet our needs. He also showed us how to use it, maintain it, and tweak it when necessary.” —Former Client NEXT STEPS Need someone to quickly build a powerful, extensible, affordable, and customizable Notion system? [LET'S CHAT ](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) ## FAQ #### Does the type of Notion plan I'm on affect your development? Yes. Notion restricts certain features to certain plans. For example, if you're looking for sophisticated automations, the Free plan won't cut it. Don't worry. If we work together, I'll help you pick the right plan. #### I bought one of your templates. Can I hire you to tweak it? Sure. Just let me know [which one](https://www.notion.so/@philsimon?ref=philsimon.com). #### Beyond development, what other costs can I expect to incur? It depends on the answers to the following questions: - Do you need a premium Notion plan or will the Free one suffice? - If the former, then how many proper members will your Notion workspace contain? - Do you need routine access to [Notion AI](https://www.notion.so/product/ai?ref=philsimon.com)? - Do we need to purchase any third-party subscriptions that augment Notion's core functionality? Examples include [Zapier](https://zapier.com/?ref=philsimon.com) and [Relay.app](https://www.relay.app/?ref=philsimon.com)? #### Do I get to see the product as you're developing it? Yes. We’ll use [Scrum](https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-scrum-module?ref=philsimon.com), so you won’t have to wait until the end to see the final result as you would with the Waterfall method. You’ll be able to generate and see the [user stories](https://resources.scrumalliance.org/Article/anatomy-user-story?ref=philsimon.com) on the docket for each [sprint](https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-sprint-in-scrum?ref=philsimon.com). Your team lead will view and approve each iteration **before* the next sprint begins. #### What tool will we use to manage the project? Notion makes the most sense, but we can chat about Asana or something else if you like. #### Can I modify the product after the project concludes? Yes, it’s yours. Still, it’s best to take backups before making major changes to formulas, databases, and the like. As I’ve seen throughout my software development career, even a small error can cause major downstream ripples. #### Can Notion do everything I want out of the box? Notion is über-powerful, but I can’t say for sure. No tool can do everything for everybody. Depending on what you want to accomplish, we may need to use a third-party automation tool like Zapier. It’s also possible that Notion lacks key features that you require. #### Is this service for all types of organizations? For a bevy of reasons, I prefer to work with the following folks: - Individuals. - Small teams. - Startups. - Small businesses. I work quickly and suffer allergic reactions from big, bureaucratic organizations that require multistep approvals to do the simplest of things. The idea of a two-year sales cycle makes me queasy. #selfawareness #### Is Notion secure for storing sensitive information? [Yes](https://www.notion.so/help/security-and-privacy?ref=philsimon.com). --- ****Working With Me** Before connecting with me, please read this page first. [READ FIRST ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/services-working-with-me/?ref=philsimon.com) [HIRE ME](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ### Speaking URL: https://www.philsimon.com/speaking/ Last updated: 2026-02-17T19:44:54.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/08/turn.jpg) Keynoting the Turn Conference in San Francisco # Speaking I am a provocative, informative, and engaging keynote speaker. Over my career, I have riveted more than 40,000 people through more than 400 talks in 8 countries on the future of work, collaboration, low-code/no-code, platforms, technology, analytics, Big Data, communication, and other topics. Check out my sizzle reel below. Phil Simon: Speaker Sizzle Reel 💬 “Phil is an engaging speaker with the rare ability to make what may seem dry and complex topics both compelling and entertaining.” ****—Joris Evers, former Vice President, Head of Communications for Europe, Netflix** **Previous speaking clients include:** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/speaking_new.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/08/keynotes.jpeg) [BOOK ME TO SPEAK](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) ### Learn More About My Speaking Practice ****Popular Topics** Dynamic, provocative, intelligent, and highly informative perspectives on today’s most critical business and technology issues. [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-popular-topics/?ref=philsimon.com) ****In Action** Watch some of my recorded talks. [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-in-action/?ref=philsimon.com) ****Client Praise** Here’s what some of my clients say about my speaking abilities. [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-client-praise/?ref=philsimon.com) ****Event Planners** A one-stop guide for conference and event organizers to ensure that things go smoothly. [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-event-planners/?ref=philsimon.com) ****Webinars and Virtual Events** Organizations hire me to present highly personalized online content to their employees, customers, and prospects. [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-webinars-virtual-events/?ref=philsimon.com) ****FAQ** Got questions about my talks, speaking practice, rates, or requirements? I've got answers. [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/about-faq/?ref=philsimon.com#section-two-title) ****Observations and Rants** I don't exactly hold back my opinions on the craft of public speaking. [READ RELATED BLOG POSTS ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/tag/speaking/?ref=philsimon.com) --- [VIEW PRICING INFO](https://www.philsimon.com/services-rates/) ### Speaking: Client Praise URL: https://www.philsimon.com/speaking-client-praise/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T15:39:49.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/invert-thumbnew-1.png) ## Praise A few client plaudits about my speaking abilities. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/08/toronto.jpg) Keynoting in Toronto, CA ## “There is no such thing as a boring topic. There are only boring speakers.” 💬 Here are some of my favorite compliments from over the years. “Phil is an engaging speaker with the rare ability to make what may seem dry and complex topics both compelling and entertaining.” **—Joris Evers, Vice President, Head of Communications for Europe, Netflix** --- “In a word, awesome.” **—Julie Tulipane Stalknecht, Senior VP, Membership and Marketing, National Multifamily Housing Council** --- “Phil has that rare skill as a speaker to distill the complex to more tactical and strategic thinking so his presentations aren’t only entertaining but are also operational. A rare gift for the modern business audience.” **—Lori H. Schwartz, Managing Partner, StoryTech** --- “Engaging, knowledgeable, and likable. Phil left our professional audience armed with new knowledge and smiling.” **—Clinton Bonner, Vice President, Marketing, TopCoder** --- “When a speaker goes for 20 minutes and you wish they’d go another two hours, you’ve hit the jackpot for your event. Phil brought a presentation to our SUBMERGE by Hubilo 2021 event that truly shined the spotlight on how we all as members of a virtual workforce can use the tools we are given to ensure inclusivity, empathy, and employee morale. Not only that, he brought receipts: data and stats that can convince leadership of the importance we should all place upon these matters of the workforce. **—Rachel Moore, Hubilo Director of Social + Broadcast Media** --- “You crushed it, Phil. Thanks for your insights and amazing keynote on **Reimagining Collaboration*!” **—David Riberi, CEO and Owner of LightWerks Communication Systems** --- “Phil Simon’s own desire to be open and connected with the audience strengthens his ability to come across as and be the most authentic speaker and storyteller. Phil is passionate about his message and has identified ways to connect a diverse and wide-range audience to one common topic.” **—Danielle Gilbertson, Account Executive, Edelman Public Relations** --- “Phil is an enthusiastic, engaging, and funny speaker. He talks about data like a critic about art. He compels you to think about and see the world in a brand new way. He was a pleasure to host and have on the Zappos campus. He didn’t even get mad when pelted with a water balloon.” **—Amelia Pond, Zappos** --- ## “In a word, awesome.” ****—Julie Tulipane Stalknecht, Senior VP, Membership and Marketing, National Multifamily Housing Council** [BOOK ME TO SPEAK](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) --- “When I go to a talk based on a book I’ve read, I have high expectations; the talk had better go beyond the book and into the realm of critical conversation. Phil nailed it this week. Super content, engagement with the specific audience, bravo!” **—Professor Terri L. Griffith, Ph.D. Chair, Management Department, Santa Clara University** --- “Phil is able to convey a lot of well-organized information in a way that enlightens and entertains the audience, leaving them more informed and providing them with interesting ideas and perspectives to ponder further.” **—Anne Milley, Sr. Director Analytics Strategy, JMP at SAS** --- “Phil gave a wonderful presentation. All of the attendees loved it and are very excited about his latest book.” **—Amit Jain, eBay, Manager, Business Intelligence** --- ### Event Planners URL: https://www.philsimon.com/speaking-event-planners/ Last updated: 2026-02-10T02:31:32.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/phil_keynoting-4.png) ## Event Planners A one-stop guide for conference and event organizers to ensure that the speaking gig goes smoothly as possible. ## A premium speaker for premium events ## Tiny Bio Yeah, these are in the third person so people can easily grab this. Trust me. I’m no [Jimmy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoskJPDbXR0&ref=philsimon.com). I never refer to myself that way. Major pet peeve. Phil Simon is the world’s leading independent expert on workplace collaboration and technology and [the award-winning author](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/awards) of [14 books](https://www.philsimon.com/books). ➡️ Grab longer bios on [my About page](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/about-phil?ref=philsimon.com). ## A/V Requirements I’m neither a diva nor a control freak. Still, I’ve learned a thing or six about speaking gigs over the last 25 years. As such, here are my preferences: - **Computer and software:** I prefer to use my MacBook Pro with PowerPoint. I don’t like leaving keynotes to chance, and I’ve experienced far too many problems using others’ computers, operating systems, and presentation programs over the years. - **Lavalier microphone:** I’m not a fan of handheld mics, and I like to move around when I speak to engage with the audience. - **Confidence monitor:** If this isn’t possible, then I’ll use my MacBook Pro hooked up to an HDMI cable on a lectern. - **Other hardware:** I’ll bring my own slide advancer. - **Drinky-drinky:** One bottle of water during the talk. ## Travel Requirements I typically arrive the day before events to avoid any issues. For short flights of an hour or so, I’m happy to fly economy. For longer ones, however, I insist upon a business or first-class ticket. ## Templates My slides, notes, images, charts, and animations are intricate. Trust me, though: There’s a method to my madness. I’m happy to put a custom cover slide on my PowerPoint deck, but I cannot use others’ templates. Too many things can break bad, and the audience ultimately suffers. ## One-Pager [ A simple overview PDF of my speaking practice.one-pager.pdf328 KBdownload-circle](https://www.philsimon.com/content/files/2025/05/one-pager.pdf "Download") ## Books 📚 I’ll always bring a few copies of one of my books to give to the conference organizers. Beyond that, I’m happy to facilitate bulk book buys. At a high level, here are our options: - Paperback copies. - Hardcover copies. - Affixing a sticker to each book related to the event or the sponsor. - Creating bespoke versions with a custom cover and foreword. This option typically involves a minimum of 200 copies to make the per-unit cost reasonable. Also, we’d have to get our ducks in a row a few months before the date of the event. Regardless of which path you take, I’ll sign as many as you like. If you’ve got something else in mind, [hit me up](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/). ## Headshots Here is a carousel with some photos of me in action. Download whatever you like. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/10/phil_postal_good.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/10/turn.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/10/phil_keynoting-Large.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/10/jmp.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/10/11.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/10/phil-with-books.jpeg) ## Preferred Intro Music It’s not essential, but occasionally I walk onto the stage to intro music. (Yes, I picture myself [about to play an NBA game](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HYj-uV9NGc&ref=philsimon.com).) If we’re doing this, then I’d prefer one of these [three](https://open.spotify.com/track/3QZ7uX97s82HFYSmQUAN1D?ref=philsimon.com) [amazing](https://open.spotify.com/track/3bYl9J9GRpTxyhpZ0PXZED?ref=philsimon.com) [songs](https://open.spotify.com/track/7mlUFCJ6tAsbsTN918C5ax?ref=philsimon.com). [BOOK ME TO SPEAK](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ### Speaking: In Action URL: https://www.philsimon.com/speaking-in-action/ Last updated: 2026-08-12T22:39:54.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/phil_keynoting-2.png) ## Speaking Archives Dynamic talks on the future of work, communication, platforms, dataviz, analytics, trends, Big Data, and a bouillabaisse of other subjects. “I know a speaker is awesome when my coworkers are messaging me on the side with their reactions to what he’s bringing to the screen. If that’s the kind of resonating content you want to bring to your audience, Phil is the speaker you want to choose.” **—Rachel Moore, Hubilo Director of Social + Broadcast Media** ## Table of Contents - [Featured](#featured) - [The Future of Work](#future-of-work) - [Business Communication](#business-communication) - [Dataviz & Analytics](#dataviz-analytics) - [The Power of Platforms](#power-of-platforms) - [Trends](#trends) - [TV](#tv) ## Featured Here are some of my in-person and virtual featured talks. [VIEW THE WHOLE PLAYLIST](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X1FMvi%5FfpU&list=PL2CXnIKVkgkV41JW-buQMH4rLTriJVqVV&pp=sAgC&ref=philsimon.com) --- ## The Future of Work The pandemic accelerated key work-related trends. In these talks, I discuss how COVID changed how we collaborate, who develops business applications, project management, the very nature of work, and much more. [VIEW THE WHOLE PLAYLIST](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HImSoah3VAE&list=PL2CXnIKVkgkVzwKVU96zt5m71LZnGOxFN&pp=sAgC&ref=philsimon.com) --- ## Business Communication To call it *challenging* is the acme of understatement. In these talks, I explain the problem and offer solutions. [VIEW THE WHOLE PLAYLIST](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2CXnIKVkgkUJWmwM-SRZf5iw-xR%5FvCcW&ref=philsimon.com) --- ## Dataviz & Analytics The world is awash in data—a trend that shows no signs of abating. Understanding the problem is just the starting point. In these rich and informative talks, I offer tangible solutions to the data deluge. [VIEW THE WHOLE PLAYLIST](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2CXnIKVkgkWCvzzoqQeYO8JzyjeZFMWy&ref=philsimon.com) --- ## The Power of Platforms Put mildly, Amazon, Apple, Facebook (now Meta), and Google have redefined business. In this popular talk, I explain how, why, and what your organization can learn from these behemoths. [VIEW THE WHOLE PLAYLIST](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2CXnIKVkgkWqnq87ZrTlqADMXvs3kszC&ref=philsimon.com) --- ## Trends The business and tech worlds are changing faster than ever. In these talks, I explore some of these key developments and put on my swami hat. [VIEW THE WHOLE PLAYLIST](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2CXnIKVkgkUoatSk1uoJGrA0ovL7cvOs&ref=philsimon.com) --- ## TV Watch a few of my recorded television appearances. [VIEW THE WHOLE PLAYLIST](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2CXnIKVkgkWolGOHeEnMxbnAthpn5iXY&ref=philsimon.com) --- [BOOK ME TO SPEAK](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ### Speaking: Popular Topics URL: https://www.philsimon.com/speaking-popular-topics/ Last updated: 2026-02-15T02:22:19.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/invert-connect-7-1.png) ## Popular Topics Dynamic, provocative, intelligent, and highly informative perspectives on today’s most critical business and technology issues. [BOOK ME TO SPEAK](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/jmp_x.jpg) Keynoting the SAS/JMP Conference in San Diego in 2015 💬 "Phil is able to distill the complex to more tactical and strategic thinking, making his presentations not only entertaining but also operational." ****—Lori H. Schwartz, Managing Partner, Storytech™** I have spoken about dozens of different work-, management-, data-, and technology-related topics throughout my career. This page provides information about my most requested talks, but I will gladly customize a topic for your team, conference, department, or organization. 🆕 **The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace** Automation, generative AI tools like ChatGPT, blockchain, and other forces are profoundly affecting how we work. The workplace will never look the same. [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-topics-the-nine?ref=philsimon.com) 🆕 **Proceed With Caution: The Promise and Peril of Generative AI** Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude are all the rage. The agents have arrived, and some think that [AGI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial%5Fgeneral%5Fintelligence?ref=philsimon.com) is near. Great, but how can we balance the pros and cons of generative AI in the workplace? [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-topics-proceed-with-caution?ref=philsimon.com) ****Citizen Developers and the Future of Software Development** In this talk based on my book **Low-Code/No-Code*, I explain why citizen developers represent the future of business applications. It turns out that the future of coding is no coding at all. [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-topics-citizen-developers-and-the-future-of-software-development/?ref=philsimon.com) ****Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace** We’ve never been great at managing projects and launching products in person. Hybrid and remote work only complicate matters further. Fortunately, there’s a path forward. [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-topics-hybrid-project-management/?ref=philsimon.com) ****Reimagining Collaboration and the Future of Work** A timely talk about how companies can turn the pandemic into an opportunity to overhaul their cultures, internal processes, and much more. [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-topics-reimagining-collaboration?ref=philsimon.com) ****How to Fix Business Communication** Thanks to loads of jargon and a tsunami of e-mail, how we’re working just isn’t working anymore. [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-topics-how-to-fix-business-communication/?ref=philsimon.com) ****Becoming a Visual Organization** There’s so much data today. How do we actually understand it and make better business decisions? [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-topics-becoming-a-visual-organization/?ref=philsimon.com) ****What Is Big Data?** It seems to be a really big deal, but how does our organization separate the considerable hype from reality? [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-topics-what-is-big-data/?ref=philsimon.com) ****Agile Analytics** How can our organization quickly find meaningful insights in its data and act on them? [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-topics-agile-analytics/?ref=philsimon.com) ****How to Build a Culture of Analytics** What can our organization learn from the cultures of Amazon, Netflix, Google, and more? In this talk, I answer that question in spades. [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-topics-how-to-build-a-culture-of-analytics/?ref=philsimon.com) ****The Power of Contemporary Platforms** What can organizations learn from Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google? Quite a bit, as it turns out. In this talk, I explore the most important and powerful business model of the millennium. [LEARN MORE ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/speaking-topics-the-power-of-contemporary-platforms/?ref=philsimon.com) [BOOK ME TO SPEAK](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ### Speaking: Webinars & Virtual Events URL: https://www.philsimon.com/speaking-webinars-virtual-events/ Last updated: 2026-06-17T14:38:24.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/10.jpg) ## Webinars & Virtual Events Organizations hire me to present highly personalized online content to their employees, customers, and prospects. ## Client Praise 💬 "Phil knocked it out of the park. Throughout the webinar, he was engaging, confident, knowledgeable, and passionate. I can't wait to work with him again." ****—Steve Bonadio, VP Marketing, Innocentive** 💬 "Phil Simon was an exceptional speaker and webinar host. Beyond that, he’s also extremely thorough and works hands-on with his clients. The end result was a fantastic product we were both proud of. He knows his stuff, works hard, and is very responsive when you need to contact him." ****—Lindsay Lauck, Webinar Program Manager, Pluralsight** 💬 "CMU alumni describe Phil’s presentations as relatable, informative, and engaging. His passion is contagious, leaving attendees energized and inspired. On top of being an amazing presenter, he’s fun and easy to collaborate with. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend working with Phil." ****—Melissa Turk, Director of Alumni & Constituent Engagement, Carnegie Mellon University** 💬 "Phil was a dream to work with. Normally Payix webinars have attendees from Finance or Fintech. With Phil, people from many different industries attended. The topic was very relevant and Phil did a great job presenting." ****—Heather Dietel, Payix Marketing & Communications Manager** ## The Problem Marketing and sales folks are justifiably enthusiastic about their products, but they face two insurmountable obstacles in trying to get their messages heard: - People today are busier than ever. As such, they aren’t too keen on watching commercials. The [Super Bowl](https://deadline.com/2014/02/super-bowl-tv-ratings-seattle-seahawks-denver-broncos-676074/?ref=philsimon.com) is the exception that proves the rule. - Prospective customers are usually and understandably a bit weary of software vendors’ messages. (Have you ever met a salesperson who *didn’t* think that everyone needed his or her company’s products and services? Me neither.) ## The Solution As a vendor-agnostic technology expert, I often give content-rich webinars. I discuss important business developments and trends, not the features of any software vendor’s particular wares. My goal is to start conversations about problems that my clients’ products and services may ultimately solve. After a brief introduction, I typically speak for about 75 percent of the allotted time. I conclude by fielding questions from attendees that the moderator vets. > Rather than “talk at” prospects, why not inform and educate them? In case you’re curious, my current record is 2,200 live attendees. ## Previous Clients A smattering of the organizations that have had me present to them online over the years. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/07/invert-webinar-clients.png) ## Topics My webinar topics parallel [my speaking topics](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking-popular-topics/). ## Notable Webinars A sample of online discussions that I have led for my clients: - [Harvard Business School: Data Visualization](https://vimeo.com/98368365?ref=philsimon.com) - [Pluralsight: Big Data for the Enterprise](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH5-kjmjojs&ref=philsimon.com) - [Innocentive: Webinar on Big Data and Open Innovation](https://vimeo.com/63087225?ref=philsimon.com) - [Lightwerks Keynote: Presentation-Communicating and Collaborating in a Connected World](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKGODBvTofw&t=226s&ref=philsimon.com) - [Carnegie Mellon University Webinar on Remote Work](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrqok-LWr80&ref=philsimon.com) - [Carnegie Mellon University: Effective Remote Work: An Overview of Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrqok-LWr80&ref=philsimon.com) ****Working With Me** If you're serious about working with me, please read this short page first. [READ FIRST ](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/services-working-with-me/?ref=philsimon.com) [BOOK ME](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ### Speaking Topics: Proceed With Caution URL: https://www.philsimon.com/speaking-topics-proceed-with-caution/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T02:49:29.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/07/invert-caution-2.png) ## Proceed With Caution The Promise and Peril of Generative AI in the Workplace. ## 30-Second Pitch Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and [Claude](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/claude/) are all the rage. Great, but how can industries, organizations, departments, teams, and individuals balance the pros and cons of generative AI in the workplace? ## Overview For decades, AI has fascinated tech leaders, academics, management gurus, policymakers, and think tanks. Despite their differing viewpoints, both prophets and naysayers have asked the same fundamental question: When will it arrive in earnest? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/08/jmp.jpg) Keynoting in San Diego at the JMP Conference As it turns out, the answer was November 30, 2022\. On that day, OpenAI publicly released a souped-up version of ChatGPT, a previously obscure text-generation tool. Its underlying engine represented a quantum leap over its predecessor—and it went viral. Within a mere five days, well over one million people had signed up. > No aspect will remain unaffected. And like that, the world had shifted. Google’s management declared [an internal code red](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/21/technology/ai-chatgpt-google-search.html?ref=philsimon.com). Microsoft, Adobe, Salesforce, Amazon, and scores of other software vendors quickly began incorporating AI into their wares. The market cap of chipmaker Nvidia surpassed $1 trillion and then [four times as much](https://www.philsimon.com/the-nvidia-arrow/). Technical terms such as *natural language processing*, *large language models,* and *prompt engineering* entered the zeitgeist. (Hell, there's even a *For Dummies* book about the latter.) Predicting what comes next is impossible, but one thing is certain: generative AI will become vastly more powerful in the coming years. Society is clearly experiencing a [Promethean moment](https://www.philsimon.com/ais-promethean-moment/). No aspect will remain unaffected. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/08/image-1.png) As I write in [*The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-the-nine/), the workplace will probably experience the most profound changes. This new crop of tools promises to improve employee productivity, save firms’ payroll, combat labor shortages, discover hidden insights, and much more. At the same time, though, the significant perils around their transparency, legality, security, privacy, and inability to separate fact from fiction should give any responsible person pause. In this talk rife with case studies, examples, and tons of data, I cut through the considerable AI bullshit. I offer a much-needed balanced viewpoint to the dizzying hype around these newfangled tchotchkes. I explain why firms should tread lightly when adopting rapidly evolving generative AI tools that even their creators don’t fully understand. 🗨️ “Phil has that rare skill as a speaker to distill the complex to more tactical and strategic thinking so his presentations aren’t only entertaining but are also operational. A rare gift for the modern business audience.” ****—Lori H. Schwartz, Managing Partner, StoryTech** ## What Attendees Will Learn In this one-hour talk, I answer the following questions: - What are the major benefits of generative AI? - What are the different buckets of AI tools? - Which specific tools seem to be the most promising? - Who are the early AI adopters, and what can they teach us from their successes and failures? - What are the inherent downsides and limitations of generative AI at work? - How can organizations maximize its pros while minimizing its cons? - Where do we go from here? And more. ## Next Steps Like what you’ve read so far? Great. Click on the button below, fill out the form, and we’re on our way. [BOOK ME TO SPEAK](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ### Speaking Topics: The Nine URL: https://www.philsimon.com/speaking-topics-the-nine/ Last updated: 2026-01-13T11:09:04.000Z ## The Nine ****The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace** ### “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” ##### —Newton’s Third law ## 30-Second Pitch Powerful and irrevocable are already reshaping the workplace. Learn how generative AI tools like ChatGPT, automation, blockchain, and other forces are reshaping the workplace. ## Overview As COVID-19 has receded, companies such as Apple, Amazon, Google, Salesforce, and Twitter have severely restricted or even eliminated remote work. Ditto for countless, less iconic firms and small businesses. At a high level, executives and managers at these organizations are trying to turn back the clock to 2019. There’s just one problem, though: For a bevy of reasons, they won’t succeed. In many ways, the workplace of 2023 *already* differs from its pre-pandemic counterpart. In some cases, it’s downright unrecognizable. What’s more, this gap will only intensify in the coming years. Blame—or thank, if you like—powerful economic, societal, geopolitical, and technological forces. They include generative AI, automation, dispersed workforces, blockchain, immersive technologies, employee empowerment, and the return of systemic inflation. Brass tacks: The workplace is undergoing a massive, irrevocable shift. The only question for business leaders is: What should you do about it? I answer this question in my talk about my [award-winning](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/announcements/the-nine-wins-axiom-awards/) book, [*The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-the-nine/)*.* I peer into the dizzying and chaotic future of work. In the process, I slice through the hype surrounding nascent trends and newfangled technologies. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/image-4.png) > The workplace of 2023 already differs from its pre-pandemic counterpart. In this insightful, timely, and essential talk, I clearly explain what’s really happening, why, and how business leaders can navigate the dramatically different workplace of the future. ## What Attendees Will Learn In this talk, I answer the following questions: - Is the empowered employee here to stay? - How are Cisco, Dropbox, and LinkedIn reimagining their workspaces? - Will inflation revert to the microscopic levels of the previous decade? - How Uber and other companies have saved millions via automation? - What are the threats and opportunities that generative AI tools pose? - Why will blockchain quickly become essential in the workplace? - Have immersive technologies such as AR, VR, and MR finally matured enough to make a difference? - Why are fractions so important to the future of work? - Will analytics on steroids do more harm than good? And more. ## Next Steps Like what you’ve read so far? Great. Click on the button below, fill out the form, and we’re on our way. [BOOK ME TO SPEAK](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ### Speaking Topics: Citizen Developers and the Future of Software Development URL: https://www.philsimon.com/speaking-topics-citizen-developers-and-the-future-of-software-development/ Last updated: 2025-08-06T18:07:12.000Z ## Low-Code/No-Code Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications ## “The future of coding is no coding at all." —Chris Wanstrath, former CEO, GitHub ## 30-Second Pitch If you haven’t heard of *citizen developers*, you soon will. It’s no understatement to say that they are rewriting the rules of application development. In this talk, I explain how, why, and what steps you should take to embrace them. ## Overview For decades, our relationship with workplace technology has been, in a word, *complicated*. The pandemic only made it more so. The stats are astonishing. Two in three employers [cannot find qualified candidates to fill their open IT positions](https://www.pmi.org/citizen-developer?ref=philsimon.com). By 2024, [the deficit of software developers in the US alone will hit 500,000](https://www.forrester.com/report/How-To-Harness-Citizen-Developers-To-Expand-Your-ADD-Capacity/RES135701?ref=philsimon.com). Supply and demand for techies are out of whack and, most alarmingly, there’s no end in sight. The effects of this labor-market imbalance are profound and difficult to overstate. Nearly three in four technology leaders [cannot focus on their strategic priorities](https://www.salesforce.com/content/dam/web/en%5Fus/www/assets/pdf/platform/salesforce-research-enterprise-technology-trends.pdf?ref=philsimon.com). Countless other firms, departments, teams, and leaders have struggled because IT can’t deliver the tools they so desperately need. Adding salt to the wound, business units now need new applications to address the logistical challenges posed by pervasive remote and hybrid work. Brass tacks: Organizations are at a crossroads. They need to solve these thorny tech problems. Now. But how? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/Low-Code-No-Code.png) **Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications* In this talk, I draw upon my research and 2022 book [*Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/low-code-no-code/). I explain how, thanks to [powerful new tools](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/project-management/blocks-productivity-future-collaboration/) and a new breed of employees, organizations are finally fulfilling critical business needs and reducing their reliance on pricey software developers. ## What Attendees Will Learn In this talk, I cover: - How we arrived at this point. - Why IT departments are backlogged—and how COVID-19 and exacerbated the issue. - The history of low-code and no-code tools. - Why they are taking off now. - Some of the most popular low-code/no-code tools. - What they can and can’t do. - The benefits of embracing citizen development. - The popular myths around LC/NC tools and the citizen developers who use them. - Examples of über-useful apps that citizen developers have built—sometimes in days. - How the advent of [generative AI](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/ai) will accelerate citizen development. - And much more. ## Watch a Preview Here's a webinar that I gave about *Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications* after it dropped. Reviews were [very positive](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/08/poll-643x1024.jpg?ref=philsimon.com). 🎤 Note that, like all of my talks, I regularly update the content based on recent events. That is, I don't do boilerplate presentations. ## Next Steps Like what you’ve read so far? Great. Click on the button below, fill out the form, and we’re on our way. [BOOK ME TO SPEAK](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ### Speaking Topics: Hybrid Project Management URL: https://www.philsimon.com/speaking-topics-hybrid-project-management/ Last updated: 2025-07-23T18:44:13.000Z ## Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace A timely talk about how to handle the complexities posed by the arrival of pervasive asynchronos work. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/jmp.jpg) Keynoting in San Diego in 2015. ## 30-Second Pitch In this timely talk based upon my new book [*Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/project-management-in-the-hybrid-workplace/), I explain how the world of project management has changed—for good. I offer a number of prescriptions for PMs, team leads, product owners, and service providers to improve their batting averages. ## Overview For decades, organizations of all sizes and in all industries have struggled at managing projects. Even though employees primarily worked together in physical offices, rare was the project that came in on time and on budget and delivered what stakeholders expected. The M–F/9–5 in-person world of work is gone forever. Depending on the country, more than nine in ten people would rather quit their jobs than return to the office five days per week. Brass tacks: Remote and hybrid workplaces are here to stay, and they pose formidable obstacles that complicate managing projects and launching new products. ![](https://i0.wp.com/www.philsimon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/PMHWformats.png?resize=470%2C342&ssl=1) ## What Attendees Will Learn In this talk, I explain the following: - How we arrived at this point. - The cognitive biases that make hybrid and remote project management so problematic. - Examples of cautionary tales—specifically, hybrid and remote projects that broke bad and, most importantly, why. - The role that collaborative tech needs to play in effective project management and product ownership. - Steps that organizations, team leads, product owners, and service providers can take to effectively manage hybrid and remote projects. - How to identify issues on remote and hybrid projects as soon as possible. - Lessons from companies that have figured out remote work and project management, such as Amazon, Automattic, GitLab, and more. - And much, much more. ## Next Steps Like what you’ve read so far? Great. Click on the button below, fill out the form, and we’re on our way. Reviews were [very positive](https://www.philsimon.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/poll-643x1024.jpg). [𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ### Speaking Topics: Reimagining Collaboration and the Future of Work URL: https://www.philsimon.com/speaking-topics-reimagining-collaboration/ Last updated: 2026-01-12T02:16:24.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/reimagining.jpeg) ## ****Collaboration in the Post-COVID World** A timely talk on the future of work. ### “Never waste a good crisis." #### —Winston Churchill ## 30-Second Pitch In this timely talk based upon my award-winning book *Reimagining Collaboration*, I explain the massive communication and collaboration opportunity that COVID-19 presents to organizations—if they’re willing to embrace new tools and a new mind-set. ## Overview When it comes to remote work, COVID-19 didn’t change anything; it only accelerated changes that were already taking place. When offices closed and people started wearing masks, relatively few organizations were able to continue without significant interruption. Indeed, Basecamp and Automattic were the exceptions that proved the rule. Most were wholly unprepared for the massive changes that they had to face: - They relied upon email for internal “collaboration” - They continued to rely upon legacy business processes and mind-sets - They hadn’t built up a remote-first muscle memory Most still haven’t—and that’s a big deal. The future of work will be a hybrid one. ## What Attendees Will Learn In this talk, I provide the context to understand the problem. After setting the table, I’ll offer meaningful solutions about how organizations can turn this crisis into the massive opportunity that it is. Specifically, by embracing [the Hub-Spoke Model of Collaboration](https://www.philsimon.com/services/consulting), they can: - Make employees vastly more productive. - Unleash the power of their software in a way that they currently are not. - Create powerful knowledge repositories. - Reduce employee burnout. - Transform existing business processes. - Build the foundation for future machine-learning and AI enhancements. - And more. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/maxis-3.png) ## Examples Here are a few of the webinars that I’ve held on this essential subject. Go nuts. ## Notes on Adjacent Topics I’ll be giving this talk remotely for the time being for the foreseeable future—using the very tools that I describe in the book. Also, organizations have hired me to talk about technology and work-related issues. Case in point: I recently addressed 600 people at [Hubilo SUBMERGE](https://hubilo.com/hubilosubmerge/?utm%5Fcampaign=submerge2021&utm%5Fsource=twitter&utm%5Fmedium=social&utm%5Fterm=nov2021&utm%5Fcontent=tw-soc-nov2021) on how the intelligent use of workplace tech can help ameliorate employee burnout. I suspect that this trend will continue in 2022 and beyond. These events have gone very well. Case in point: Here’s the data from the webinar that I held for Carnegie Mellon. Question: Phil’s webinar on Reimagining Collaboration contributed to my professional and/or personal growth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/cmu.gif) ****Source: CMU Connect, June 17, 2021** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/david.png) ## Next Steps Like what you’ve read so far? Great. Click on the button below, fill out the form, and we’re on our way. [BOOK ME TO SPEAK](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ### Speaking Topics: How to Fix Business Communication URL: https://www.philsimon.com/speaking-topics-how-to-fix-business-communication/ Last updated: 2025-07-23T14:59:49.000Z ## How to Fix Business Communication How we’re working just isn’t working. ## 30-Second Pitch Thanks to a tsunami of email and jargon, how we’re working just isn’t working. Fortunately, the solution to each problem is well within our grasp. ## Overview Generally speaking, business communication today is nothing short of dismal, but you probably don’t need me to tell you that. You live it every day. A tsunami of inscrutable e-mails inhibits productivity in your organization. And then there’s the jargon. Oh, the jargon. What exactly are *next-generation Big Data cloud platforms* and *holistic form factors* anyway? Fortunately, all hope is not lost. In this talk, I draw upon my award-winning book [*Message Not Received: Why Business Communication Is Broken and How to Fix It*](https://tinyurl.com/7mnrsimon?ref=philsimon.com). To watch all of my recorded talks on improving business communication, click [here](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking/in-action/). ## What Attendees Will Learn In this talk, I answer the following questions: - Why is business communication so badly broken? How did it get this way? - Why do we blame technology (e-mail) when we really ought to be looking in the mirror? - Why is business jargon on the rise? - What are the effects of excessive e-mail and jargon? - Are there solutions to these problems? What are they? - Can improved internal communication improve my bottom line? - Which companies have adopted truly collaborative tools and what can we learn from them? ## Next Steps Like what you’ve read so far? Great. Click on the button below, fill out the form, and we’re on our way. [BOOK ME TO SPEAK](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ### Speaking Topics: Successfully Adopting Microsoft Teams or Slack URL: https://www.philsimon.com/speaking-topics-successfully-adopting-microsoft-teams-or-slack/ Last updated: 2025-05-31T17:31:39.000Z ## Successfully Adopting Microsoft Teams or Slack A frank discussion on change management, adopting new tools, and overcoming resistance in the workplace. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/phil_keynoting-1.png) Keynoting in 2022 in Washington, DC ### “How can our organization unleash the true power of internal collaboration hubs?” ## 30-Second Pitch By the absolute numbers, adoption of new collaborative hubs has [surged](https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/27/22406472/microsoft-teams-145-million-daily-active-users-stats?ref=philsimon.com) since the pandemic arrived. Still, the adoption of these powerful tools is decidedly uneven. Many folks resist changing how they work. As a result, organizations are just scratching the surface of what these hubs can do. ## Overview Microsoft Teams and Slack can change the way that groups, departments, divisions, and even entire organizations work—and for the better. There’s often a chasm, however, between *can* and *will*. Like many contemporary technologies, Microsoft Teams and Slack benefit from [network effects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network%5Feffect?ref=philsimon.com). According to [Metcalfe’s Law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metcalfe%27s%5Flaw?ref=philsimon.com), every employee who fails to use a tool makes it that much less valuable. And the damage continues: By refusing to get on board, stragglers and laggards bifurcate knowledge, confuse others, add friction, poison the culture, and thwart efforts to build a comprehensive knowledge base. > Change management has always been hard. This. Is. A. Big. Deal. In this talk, I discuss the difficulty of getting employees to use and even embrace internal collaboration hubs. I explain why, when it comes to how they work, many employees are stuck in their old ways. I also offer a number of techniques designed to maximize the chance that these powerful hubs take root in your organization. ## What Attendees Will Learn I answer the following questions: - What are the common objections that employees present to using these tools? - Why do organizations need to get all of their employees off of email? - How does limited of these tools adoption hinder an organization? (TL;DR: Deeply and in many ways.) - What are some of the challenges that organizations of my size can expect to face? - What are the different adoption approaches? - Which ones are most effective for your organization? - What about leaders? Are they exempt from using Teams, Slack, or another hub? - What types of carrots and sticks can organizations and managers use? - Which employees are most likely to resist using these tools? - How to deal with recalcitrant employees? ## Next Steps Like what you’ve read so far? Great. Click on the button below, fill out the form, and we’re on our way. [𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗞](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ## Posts ### On Closets and Workplace Tech URL: https://www.philsimon.com/on-closets-and-workplace-tech/ Last updated: 2026-08-13T13:00:06.000Z For years, I struggled to find cleaning supplies in my kitchen's utility closet. As a result, I'd sometimes buy duplicate products. "I could have sworn I recently bought Magic Erasers," I'd say to myself when rummaging through cluttered shelves. Random bags and plastic cups were everywhere. A proper system this was not. In April, the situation reached a tipping point. I recently decided to do something about it. [My bestie Claude](https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-claude/) didn't disagree: The core problem: you mixed food/paper goods, cleaning chemicals, and bags/gear with no logical zones. You also store the mop loose, which wastes vertical space and makes everything harder to reach. See for yourself: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/08/before.jpeg) Original Closet | Click on the image to enlarge it. Challenge accepted. Simon Workplace Tech Assessment Gain a deep look into how your team, department, or organization uses its current tools—and what it can do better. [LEARN MORE ](https://www.philsimon.com/products-simon-workplace-tech-assessment/) ## The Big Cleanup Over the course of a weekend, I removed everything from the closet. I cleaned the shelves and laid down some black shelf liner in case of future leaks or spills. Logical sections began replacing the utter chaos I had created. I picked up some industrial sprayers and refill bottles. Finally, I installed some [under-shelf rechargeable lights](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q6YMKSD?ref%5F=ppx%5Fhzsearch%5Fconn%5Fdt%5Fb%5Ffed%5Fasin%5Ftitle%5F13&th=1ref&ref=philsimon.com). Why not go the full nine? > Night and day. Here's a photo of a newly organized closet shelf. Let's just say that it looks nothing like its predecessor. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/08/closet.jpeg) Newly Reorganized Shelf Closet | Click on the image to enlarge it. Now I can easily locate *Formula 409*, granite cleaner, and whatever else I need. Why I didn't undertake this project years ago mystifies me. [Parallels Between Ghostwriting and Notion DevelopmentThoughts about two ostensibly disparate services I provide.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/300br-1-75d44067-49b3-4b22-bfc3-c91de1139d11.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/two_blurry_parallel_lines-727f2f55-0229-402e-a1b1-b283b8b28b37.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/parallels-notion-ghostwriting/) ## A Workplace Parallel I suspect that many small business owners, CXOs, team leads, and department heads can relate to my little yarn. They routinely struggle to find key information. Teammates sloppily enter duplicate records in systems because they can't find what they need. Automated reporting is a pipe dream. Answering simple questions takes way too much time and effort. They pay for tech they don't use—at least as much as they could. You get my drift. If you want some help cleaning your tech closet, [let's talk](https://www.philsimon.com/connect). ### Introducing the Simon Workplace Tech Assessment URL: https://www.philsimon.com/introducing-the-simon-workplace-tech-assessment/ Last updated: 2026-08-10T22:17:15.000Z In the course of my 30 years around workplace tech, I've learned a thing or six. I've seen more times than I can count how people, teams, departments, and organizations use and misuse systems. Most of my [books](https://www.philsimon.com/books) address the subject in one way or another—especially my four-part series on the future of work. Full-length, well-written texts have impacted my life in profound ways. Many of them taught me new skills, frameworks, and ways to become more effective. It's no overstatement that, without books, I would be a much different, less informed, and less productive person. At the same time, though, even the best books aren't panaceas. They're static, decidedly non-interactive artifacts. Thanks to the rise of generative AI, however, that limitation is eroding. ## Drumroll… Today I'm pleased to announce the beta launch of the Simon Workplace Tech Assessment. The SWTA is a relatively short questionnaire that analyzes how your team, department, or organization uses them in working together. After [I qualify the respondent](https://www.philsimon.com/products-simon-workplace-tech-assessment/#faq), I'll generate and send you a specific, 700-ish-word assessment based upon my four-part series on the future of work: 1. [*Reimagining Collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and the Post-COVID World of Work*.](https://www.philsimon.com/book-reimagining-collaboration/) 2. [*Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-project-management-in-the-hybrid-workplace)*.* 3. [*Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-low-code-no-code/)*.* 4. [*The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-the-nine/)*.* The STWA offers bespoke advice from a deep corpus of knowledge—more than 1,100 pages on workplace tech, collaboration, organizational change, cultural issues, and the future of work. It's launching today in beta. [LEARN MORE](https://www.philsimon.com/products-simon-workplace-tech-assessment/) [TAKE THE SWTA](https://philsimon.notion.site/3b6fbefd2aed806dba89edd1840c6407?pvs=105&ref=philsimon.com) ### On Turnkey Vendors and Fat Margins URL: https://www.philsimon.com/on-turnkey-vendors-and-fat-margins/ Last updated: 2026-08-10T12:27:08.000Z In 2013, I attended a small business networking event in Las Vegas. A major marketing and tech vendor footed the bill for the shindig. More specifically, that company offered website maintenance, hosting, support, SEO, newsletter management, and other number of turnkey services. Additional options included occasional blogging. After the Vendor X's salespeople gave their spiel, I spoke with a number of clients at my table. Eventually, the conversation turned to price. The recurring fee astounded me. Some of these companies paid $3,500 to $5,000 *per month* for these services. ## Huh? I shook my head in disbelief. The restaurateurs, lawyers, and other small-biz owners in attendance certainly knew their trades, but they lacked anything resembling expertise in contemporary tech. Vendor X's websites were largely cookie-cutter. They provided basic e-commerce functionality—a tough ask in 1996, but not in 2013\. Even premium hosting had become affordable by that point. I'd bet my life that the vendor's profit margins were more [Apple](https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/AAPL/apple/profit-margins?ref=philsimon.com) than [Amazon](https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/AMZN/amazon/profit-margins?ref=philsimon.com). > Pay these vendors' monthly fees if you like, but the game has changed. Nice work if you can get it. At least it pays for complementary sandwiches. Simon Workplace Tech Assessment Gain a deep look into how your team, department, or organization uses its current tools—and what it can do better. [LEARN MORE ](https://www.philsimon.com/products-simon-workplace-tech-assessment/) ## The More Things Change … Fast-forward 13 years. Some turnkey outfits continue to make a killing off of their unsuspecting clients. Case in point: I spoke with a friend of mine recently about this very subject. One vendor charged him $700 per month to do the following: 1. Publish AI-assisted blog posts. 2. Route them to his two WordPress sites. I floored him when I mentioned that I could [build a Notion-based tool](https://www.philsimon.com/services-notion-development/) for him that would save him at least $5,000 per year. In a way, not much has changed since my book [*The New Small*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-the-new-small) dropped in 2010. [What Else Can I Automate?A simple question driving much of my work these days led to some useful Notion additions.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/300br-1-fd58dc00-dc37-4e61-9aab-2f8a9b739aca.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/consultant-fbec936e-2e67-4116-bbd6-27fbbd1db171.png)](https://www.philsimon.com/what-else-can-i-automate/) ## Simon Says: Open your mind. Building bespoke systems *used to be* prohibitively difficult and expensive. For this reason, millions of small businesses overpaid for the very applications and services I just described. No doubt that many (even most) of these companies will continue doing so. Make no mistake, though: the game has changed. Thank the explosion of AI and [no-code and low-code tools](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/lc-nc/). Pay these vendors' fees if you like. I can't stop you. I'm betting, though, that there's a much cheaper mousetrap out there for you if you open your mind. ### Old School vs. New School URL: https://www.philsimon.com/old-school-vs-new-school/ Last updated: 2026-08-09T20:19:34.000Z For my entire career, workplace tech and collaboration have fascinated me. I suspect that my interest in these topics will never wane. Invariably at the gym, I catch a glimpse of people furiously pecking away at their keyboards. What applications are they using? Would any of them benefit my clients or me? ## A Perplexing Mix In a Slack workspace, I recently saw someone post a message in an `AI` channel on his use of Claude. I immediately knew that this individual: 1. Understood the power of generative AI and Claude in particular. (In that way, [we're alike](https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-claude/).) 2. Knew at least the rudiments of Slack—a noisy, often confusing morass of information. Cool, I thought. This individual and I shared some common tech sensibilities. And four seconds later, I also knew that some pretty stark differences existed as well. From his post: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/07/SCR-20260726-hcrk_converted.jpeg) Slack Post/Screenshot | Click on the image to enlarge it. Wow. > You can use any software program in unconventional ways. Person X copied the Claude session and pasted it into a Microsoft Word document. Simon Workplace Tech Assessment Gain a deep look into how your team, department, or organization uses its current tools—and what it can do better. [LEARN MORE ](https://www.philsimon.com/products-simon-workplace-tech-assessment/) ## How I Think About Collaboration I'm not judging, but I would have shared my Claude chat in one of the following ways: 1. [Making the Claude session public](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/10593882-share-and-unshare-chats?ref=philsimon.com). 2. Blogging about it on my website. Think web, [as I used to say](https://www.philsimon.com/think-web/). 3. Using Google Docs, [Notion](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/notion), or another contemporary collaboration tool. If none of these options existed, I would have [vibe-coded my own solution](https://www.philsimon.com/vibe-coding-band-aids/). Put differently, I'd never consider relying on [a 43-year-old program](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History%5Fof%5FMicrosoft%5FWord?ref=philsimon.com) best suited for [manuscripts](https://www.philsimon.com/services-ghostwriting/), reports, and their ilk. [The Accidental CommitterClaude Code has awakened my inner open-source beast.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/300br-1-52490cb1-1190-4442-9311-7e0b491df25a.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/an_accidental_coder-0d682030-f8c7-4b1c-a421-614d0f275e66.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/the-accidental-committer/) ## Simon Says *Can* you share Claude sessions via Word, Excel, or another tried-and-true application? Sure. You can use any software program in unconventional ways. A few examples: - Some people have emailed me 40 MB attachments instead of using iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, or WeTransfer. - Plenty of self-published authors use Word to "design" their books. The final products look decidedly amateur. - It's downright silly to store reams of structured data in a PowerPoint file, but I've seen people do it. Hell, these days you might even be able to [analyze it with Claude](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/13521390-use-claude-for-powerpoint?ref=philsimon.com). There's a chasm, though, between *can* and *should*. ## Feedback Which old stalwarts do you continue to use? Which ones do you use in, er, *creative* ways? ### What Else Can I Automate? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/what-else-can-i-automate/ Last updated: 2026-07-30T01:46:52.000Z During the aughts, I paid my bills as an enterprise systems consultant. The projects varied, but my colleagues and I largely needed to be on site Monday through Thursday. Fridays were typically admin days. That is, we submitted our weekly expenses, sent our PMs status reports, participated in conference calls, and the like. For consultants, recapping weekly activities has always been a necessary evil. We needed to justify our rates. Consulting engagement managers, client bean counters, project managers, and internal auditors don't like being kept in the dark. The tedious manual process traditionally took my peers anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes. I usually shaved about 50 percent off that number by starting from an existing template and updating it throughout the week. ## Is There a Better Way? What if you could automate that entire process? Even ten years ago, the answer to that question would have been a hard no. Today, it's easier than ever and, best of all, requires zero coding knowledge. Last week, I built a simple [Notion](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/notion) custom agent via the following prompt: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/07/notion.jpeg) Notion Prompt: | July 23, 2026 | Click on the image to enlarge it. As I do with all of my Notion custom agents, I gave it a clever, phonetic name: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/07/wesley.jpeg) Notion Weekly Agent | Click on the image to enlarge it. And *voilà*! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/07/weekly_notion_converted.jpeg) Week in Review dB | Click on the image to enlarge it. ## Results and Going Down the Rabbit Role I'm now able to access a simple log of all of the Notion-related work I've performed the past seven days. (Oh, the power of metadata.) I suspect that I'll be able to learn a great deal about how I use Notion—and how I can improve in the future. A neat `launchd` job on my Mac sends my daily results to a separate Notion database. And, of course, I back up all of my code on GitHub. 💻 For more on this powerful Mac feature, click [here](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/MacOSX/Conceptual/BPSystemStartup/Chapters/ScheduledJobs.html?ref=philsimon.com). I've created the same automation for [my bestie Claude](https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-claude/). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/07/graph.jpeg) Claude Code to Notion dB | Click on the image to enlarge it. And why not toss in a simple but effective graph? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/07/graph_converted.jpeg) Claude Code to Graph | Click on the image to enlarge it. Need help building an app or system to track key personal or professional tasks? [HIRE ME ](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) Finally, for good measure, I added a simple AI summary of the day's activities for easy viewing: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/07/AI-summary-1.jpeg) Database Entry for July 23, 2026 | Click on the image to enlarge it. If you only consider Notion a note-taking app, you're really missing out. [The Accidental CommitterClaude Code has awakened my inner open-source beast.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/300br-1-0aa3c668-14c9-43a5-b0b1-2cd31bdd27b9.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/an_accidental_coder-c4104948-f4b2-4e06-a080-5cf09506e4fe.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/the-accidental-committer/) ## Simon Says No, you can't automate everything. At the same time, it's downright silly to stick with manual processes out of habit or laziness. Once one domino falls, you may be surprised with what you eventually create. ## Feedback What have you automated lately? ### Finding the Right Tech Ingredients URL: https://www.philsimon.com/tech-ingredients/ Last updated: 2026-08-07T02:00:40.000Z Solving a vexing automation problem required some experimentation and resurrecting a reliable tool from long ago. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Accidental Committer URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-accidental-committer/ Last updated: 2026-07-14T13:22:41.000Z Most industry types knew that GitHub had become a big deal since [its inception](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GitHub?ref=philsimon.com#:~:text=On%20June%204%2C%202018%2C%20Microsoft,a%20community%2C%20platform%20and%20business.). I, for one, didn't realize *how* big until June 4, 2018\. On that day, Microsoft dropped a cool [$7.5 billion](https://news.microsoft.com/announcement/microsoft-acquires-github/?ref=philsimon.com) for the world's largest code repository. The acquisition turned out far better than [the Nokia one](https://www.theverge.com/2015/7/8/8910999/microsoft-job-cuts-2015-nokia-write-off?ref=philsimon.com) did. Over the years, I had dipped one foot in the GitHub pool. As [a college professor](https://www.philsimon.com/academia), I had pushed some straightforward Python examples in a public repo for my students. ```python #say_my_name. counter = 1 #this is the counter that I metnioned before guess = input("Say my name. ") name = "Heisenberg" while (guess != name): guess = input("Try again. ") counter = counter + 1 if counter == 1: #note the double == here. print("\nYou are *!##%! right.", "It took you", counter, "try.") elif counter in [2, 3, 4, 5]: print("\nYou are *!##%! right.", "It took you", counter, "tries.") else: print("\n\tSeriously? You don't watch this show at all.") ``` Simple Breaking Bad Python Script Still, no one would call me a *power user*. It's not like I committed code every week or every month. Until suddenly I did. In this post, I'll explain why. ## Claude Code Got This Whole Train Rolling Since going [all in on Claude](https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-claude/), I've been a busy little GitHub bee. Looking [at my recent contributions](https://github.com/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) confirms as much: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/07/coder.png) It didn't take that long to automate simple manual processes such as [this one](https://www.philsimon.com/automation-critical-thinking/). Some of the more sophisticated ones, though, required [cron jobs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cron?ref=philsimon.com). Fortunately, [GitHub actions](https://github.com/features/actions?ref=philsimon.com) fit the bill perfectly. No more backing up [Ghost posts and pages](https://www.philsimon.com/the-next-chapter/) in Notion. Claude Code helped me see the light and create a neat [Apple Health interactive dashboard](https://www.philsimon.com/claude-and-cardio/). Have at it on [GitHub](https://github.com/philsimon/apple-health-workout-parser-dashboard?ref=philsimon.com). ## Sign up for Simon Says Weekly insights on AI, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. No bullshit. Unsubscribe anytime. ## What *Else* Can I Replace? Claude Code has awakened my inner open-source beast. Lately, I've been a bit of a demon finding free alternatives to paid SaaS staples. Case in point: my document signing needs are casual. A paid Docusign subscription never made sense. [Dropbox Sign](https://sign.dropbox.com/?coupon%5Fcode=SIGN1026Q2B&%5Ftk=paid%5Fsem%5Fgoog%5Fb%5Ftier1%5Fna&%5Fcamp=na%5Fus%5Fgoog%5Fb%5Ftier-1%5Fsign%7C22134736052&%5Fcontent=dbs-dropboxsign-exact%7C168775204010&%5Fkw=dropbox%20sign%7Ce&%5Fad=730029028024%7Cc&gad%5Fsource=1&gad%5Fcampaignid=22134736052&gbraid=0AAAAADubkg9C7tTgs%5FriDiwXf5NWaUSJH&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI58aTqObFlQMVcS1ECB2p-CxWEAAYASAAEgL1N%5FD%5FBwE&ref=philsimon.com) works, but the company's incessant attempts to upsell me leave me annoyed. > Claude Code has awakened the open-source beast. Enter [Documenso](https://documenso.com/?ref=philsimon.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/07/documenso.jpeg) Test Document for Digital Signature | Click on the image to enlarge it. You're welcome. 🗣️ ****Out With the Old** I'm a big believer in routinely auditing your apps to identify gaps. To that end, Wispr Flow no longer handles my voice dictation. A week ago, I converted to [Lispr.ai](https://lispr.ai/?ref=philsimon.com). (Hat tip: [Jeremy Caplan](https://wondertools.substack.com/).) [Marker](https://github.com/datalab-to/marker?ref=philsimon.com) lets anyone easily turn PDFs into Markdown. The Claude Code-GitHub combo has also proved invaluable in other ways. [My efforts to combat spam](https://www.philsimon.com/godaddy-and-microsoft-failed-me-claude/) and add advanced automations to Notion databases come to mind. [Claude: The Ultimate Utility PlayerMy favorite AI tool helped me quickly solve four very different problems—all before 10 am one March morning.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/300br-1-f8575a09-77a2-4dcc-807f-fa0a1a68c51f.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/bball-9b147830-5523-41d0-ab75-fb0d4b7a02bc.jpeg)](https://www.philsimon.com/claude-the-ultimate-utility-player/) ## Simon Says Finding effective replacements—and creating new ones—is downright addicting. I suspect that many citizen developers feel the same way. ## Feedback What new tools have you adopted in the past year? ### Parallels Between Ghostwriting and Notion Development URL: https://www.philsimon.com/parallels-notion-ghostwriting/ Last updated: 2026-08-05T15:00:36.000Z Sometimes people can't immediately size me up, and I can't blame them. After all, I wear a few [different hats](https://www.philsimon.com/services). That's not to say, however, that each one gets equal use. Far from it. Over the last four years, I have worn two caps more than the others combined. Together, they have paid my bills. In today's post, I'll explain how my most important lines of business today—[writing authors' books](https://www.philsimon.com/services-ghostwriting/) and [building Notion tools](https://www.philsimon.com/services-notion-development/)—aren't all that dissimilar. [Parallels Between Books and Databases - Racket PublishingIt turns out that the two aren’t all that dissimilar.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newball-1-73bc280e-d9d1-4b79-bfe0-61fbc7f7fc25.png)Racket PublishingPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/database2-4293e514-5895-46a3-864e-3a76dd068d9e.png)](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/books-and-databases/?ref=philsimon.com) ## A Product at the End of the Project I am not an executive coach or an occupational therapist. My Notion and ghostwriting clients hire me to help them accomplish a defined task. The new CRMs, bespoke event management systems, and physical books all had to meet some [definition of *done*](https://www.atlassian.com/agile/project-management/definition-of-done?ref=philsimon.com). Admittedly, that simple, four-letter word can become squishy and contentious, especially on amorphous and flat-rate projects. To minimize confusion and conflict, I bill hourly. The benefits of doing so (avoiding scope creep) more than justify its minor administrative burden. (It's easy to automate time tracking in Notion.) ## We Followed Agile Methods Working on ERP systems for more than a decade taught me the profound limitations of [Waterfall development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterfall%5Fmodel?ref=philsimon.com). Of course, I *could* wait until the very end of the project to show a client a new dashboard, system, or manuscript. The odds that I'll stick the landing are remote, though. Clients see alpha versions of Notion systems and rough tables of contents. (Ah, the beauty of [Scrum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrum%5F%28project%5Fmanagement%29?ref=philsimon.com).) By definition, they're not perfect. These prototypes provide invaluable directional feedback and minimize the risk of forthcoming surprises, frustration, and wasted time and money. If we're on the wrong track, we quickly find out, make necessary adjustments, and get on the same page. ## Mutual Learning The projects have varied considerably in many ways, but two things have happened on each one: 1. I've learned a great deal about my clients' needs and areas of expertise. 2. They've learned a considerable amount from me. It's fair to call the transfer of knowledge *symbiotic*. My clients wouldn't have been able to complete their projects without their input and vice versa. ## Unanticipated Delays Never has even a medium-term engagement gone off without a hitch. At one extreme, a client vowed to follow up with me next week. I finally heard back from him a few weeks later. At the other, a ghostwriting client needed to pause her project for three months. 💡 ****Pro tips:** Work backwards and build in dummy deadlines. ## A New Respect for the Importance of Process At the beginning of each project, I explain that no decision is irrevocable. Some bells, though, are harder than others to unring. Case in point: [changing database structures](https://www.philsimon.com/on-databases-and-tattoos/) and reorganizing book sections involves a great deal of rework. Intellectually, that statement is facile, but I make that key point several times before we sign anything. To use a housing metaphor, I ask them to triple-check if we're building a Colonial. In a few cases, a client and I have reached the point of no return and the former has inexplicably reversed course. (“Yeah, I want a duplex now.”) Demolishing the foundation is expensive, and the burnt hand teaches best. > If we're on the wrong track, we quickly find out and make necessary adjustments. Brass tacks: each of my clients has walked away with a heightened appreciation for our process. [On AI, Automation, and Critical ThinkingToday’s tools can build workable replacements, but always question their initial recommendations.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/300br-1-9a9b6ba1-5ab5-4593-92b6-3405590ce7c2.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/cartoon_style_black_dominoes_with-ba11fd81-17b5-4958-af27-ee2cc5b8e78d.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/automation-critical-thinking/) ## Feedback Do you see parallels between different lines of your business? What say you? ### Early Notion Worker Lessons URL: https://www.philsimon.com/early-notion-worker-lessons/ Last updated: 2026-07-30T01:21:12.000Z At its recent developer conference, Notion announced a powerful new way to extend the application. Still in [beta](https://www.notion.com/help/understand-pricing-for-workers?ref=philsimon.com), [Notion Workers](https://www.notion.com/help/understand-pricing-for-workershttps://developers.notion.com/workers/get-started/overview?ref=philsimon.com) let users do many interesting things. In the company's [words](https://www.notion.com/product/dev?ref=philsimon.com#workers): Workers are isolated sandboxes managed by Notion, so the code behind your syncs, tools, and workflows runs on our infra(structure) instead of your servers. Most interesting to me: the ability to sync data from third-party systems. For example, say that your organization runs Salesforce as its CRM. Workers make it relatively easy to bring that data into your Notion workspace for additional analysis and tracking. I've spent a good deal of time noddling with the new sync capability. Claude Code helped me navigate the new [Notion CLI](https://developers.notion.com/cli/get-started/overview?ref=philsimon.com) and run some tests with a simple Google Sheet. In today's post, I'll share some of the things I've learned so far. Long story short: Workers aren't perfect, but they're remarkable. I suspect that over the next year I'll be doing more with them for my [Notion clients](https://www.philsimon.com/services-notion-development/). 🤖 ****Disclosure:** I used NotionAI to summarize the content below. The excessive em dashes make it obvious. ## Table of Contents - [Project & Worker Management](#project-worker-management) - [Useful CLI Reference Commands](#useful-cli-reference-commands) - [Directory Context Matters](#directory-context-matters) - [Finding Project Directories](#finding-project-directories) - [Identifying a Worker's ID](#identifying-a-workers-id) - [Renaming a Worker](#renaming-a-worker) - [Deleting a Duplicate Worker](#deleting-a-duplicate-worker) - [Code Reuse Across Workers](#code-reuse-across-workers) - [Syncing](#syncing) - [Triggering a Manual Sync](#triggering-a-manual-sync) - [Finding the Correct Sync Key](#finding-the-correct-sync-key) - [Diagnosing a Sync That Runs But Writes Nothing](#diagnosing-a-sync-that-runs-but-writes-nothing) - [Diagnosing a Runaway Sync Loop](#diagnosing-a-runaway-sync-loop) - [Schema & Data](#schema-data) - [Adding a New Property to a Synced Database](#adding-a-new-property-to-a-synced-database) - [Changing a Property Type](#changing-a-property-type) - [Replace Mode Only Manages Worker-Created Records](#replace-mode-only-manages-worker-created-records) - [Identifying Read-Only vs. User-Defined Properties](#identifying-read-only-vs-user-defined-properties) - [Two-Way Sync](#two-way-sync) - [Deployment & Debugging](#deployment-debugging) - [TypeScript Compilation Errors During Deploy](#typescript-compilation-errors-during-deploy) - [Debugging Failed Deploys](#debugging-failed-deploys) ## Project & Worker Management ### Useful CLI Reference Commands | Command | Purpose | | ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- | | ntn workers list | List all Workers in the workspace | | ntn workers capabilities list | List capabilities for the current project's Worker | | ntn workers sync trigger | Trigger a sync immediately | | ntn workers sync state reset | Clear sync state for a full re-fetch | | ntn workers sync state get | Inspect current sync state | | ntn workers runs list | View recent run history and exit codes | | ntn workers runs get | Get details on a specific run | | ntn workers delete | Delete a Worker by ID | | ntn workers deploy | Deploy (create or update) a Worker from the current directory | ### Directory Context Matters The `ntn` CLI resolves the target Worker from the `workers.json` file in the current directory. Always `cd` into the correct project folder before running Worker commands. Running commands from the wrong directory targets the wrong Worker or fails entirely. ```jsx cd /Users/your_drectory ``` ### Finding Project Directories To locate all Worker projects on your machine: ```bash find ~ -name "workers.json" 2>/dev/null ``` ### Identifying a Worker's ID To find the Worker ID tied to a specific project directory: ```bash cat /path/to/project/workers.json ``` The `workerId` field is the canonical identifier for that Worker. ### Renaming a Worker The CLI lacks a dedicated rename command. The display name derives from the `name` field in `package.json`. Update that field and redeploy to rename the Worker. The sync capability key — which you define in `src/index.ts` — is independent of the display name and continues to work without modification. ### Deleting a Duplicate Worker With two Workers sharing the same display name, confirm which ID belongs to the unwanted one via `workers.json`, then delete it: ```bash ntn workers delete ``` ### Code Reuse Across Workers Once you build a working Worker, save it as a GitHub repo or template. The Worker structure, deploy flow, and Notion API calls transfer to future projects. Swap out the data source and schema — the scaffolding stays intact. ## Syncing ### Triggering a Manual Sync To bypass the schedule and trigger a sync immediately, run the following from your Worker project directory: ```bash ntn workers sync trigger ``` The sync key is the string passed to `worker.sync("...")` in `src/index.ts` — it may differ from the Worker's display name in the Notion UI. ### Finding the Correct Sync Key If you don't know the sync key, run this from the project directory: ```bash ntn workers capabilities list ``` This returns the exact key and type for every registered capability. ### Diagnosing a Sync That Runs But Writes Nothing All runs showing exit code `0` with no database changes usually means an incremental sync has recorded state and sees no new data. Reset the state to force a full re-fetch: ```bash ntn workers sync state reset ntn workers sync trigger ``` ### Diagnosing a Runaway Sync Loop If the runs list shows dozens of executions firing every few seconds, you've set the `schedule` option in `src/index.ts` too aggressively (such as `"continuous"` or `"1m"`). Change it to `"1h"` (or another appropriate interval) and redeploy: ```bash ntn workers deploy ``` Left unchecked, a runaway sync burns through Worker credits rapidly. ## Schema & Data ### Adding a New Property to a Synced Database Adding a column to the Google Sheet does not automatically add it to Notion. The Worker only syncs properties explicitly defined in `src/index.ts`. Two changes are required: 1. Add the property to the schema block: ```tsx schema: { properties: { Descr: Schema.title(), Code: Schema.richText(), NewProp: Schema.richText(), // add here }, }, ``` 1. Add the property to the mapping inside `execute`: ```tsx properties: { Descr: Builder.title(row[1] ?? ""), Code: Builder.richText(row[0]), NewProp: Builder.richText(row[2] ?? ""), // add here }, ``` Then redeploy and resync: ```bash ntn workers deploy ntn workers sync state reset ntn workers sync trigger ``` ### Changing a Property Type Changing a property's type in `src/index.ts` (such as from `Schema.richText()` to `Schema.number()`) does not convert the existing property in Notion. Notion keeps the original type. The fix: rename the property in `src/index.ts` to force Notion to create a fresh property with the correct type. The old property remains but sits empty — hide it from your views. ### Replace Mode Only Manages Worker-Created Records The Worker's `replace` mode mark-and-sweep only tracks and removes records it created. Records added manually in the Notion UI don't carry the Worker's internal tracking metadata, so the sync leaves them alone — even if they don't exist in the external source. If orphaned manual records appear in a managed database, delete them directly in Notion. They won't be cleaned up automatically. ### Identifying Read-Only vs. User-Defined Properties Notion provides no visual indicator distinguishing synced (read-only) properties from user-defined ones. The reliable method: open a record and try to edit a field. Synced Worker properties are locked. User-defined properties accept edits. From the code, read-only properties carry `readOnly: true` in the data source schema — these map directly to columns in the external source. Any property you add to the Notion database outside the Worker schema (such as a Status or ID field) remains fully editable and the sync won't touch it. ### Two-Way Sync Workers syncs are one-way by design: external source → Notion. To push Notion changes back to an external source, build a second Worker using `worker.webhook(...)`. The flow: 1. The second Worker registers a webhook endpoint and gets a URL on deploy. 2. A Notion database automation triggers on page changes and fires a POST to that URL. 3. The webhook handler reads the payload and writes the change to the external source (such as Google Sheets via its API). The Notion-side plumbing transfers to any external source. The external API client and auth (such as OAuth for Google Sheets) require rewriting per source. ## Deployment & Debugging ### TypeScript Compilation Errors During Deploy A failed deploy (exit code 2) means the TypeScript compiler rejected the code. The error appears directly in the Terminal output when you run `ntn workers deploy`. Always read that output before troubleshooting elsewhere. Common example: `Builder.number()` does not accept `null`. Use a numeric fallback instead: ```tsx // Wrong Num: Builder.number(row[2] ? parseFloat(row[2]) : null) // Right Num: Builder.number(parseFloat(row[2] ?? "0") || 0) ``` ### Debugging Failed Deploys Use `ntn workers runs list` to check exit codes. A deploy with exit code 2 failed — any sync runs after it use the last successful build, not your latest code. The full error appears in the Terminal output of `ntn workers deploy` itself, not in the run logs. ### The Acme of Tech Cluelessness URL: https://www.philsimon.com/tech-cluelessness/ Last updated: 2026-06-30T23:28:17.000Z If I've learned anything in three decades working with enterprise tech, it's this: The older the organization, the worse its systems are likely to be. Call it *Simon’s First Law of Enterprise Systems.* Since I like graphs: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/06/firstlaw.png) Is the law absolute? Of course not. I've seen small organizations and startups immediately screw up their new systems. Plenty of larger ones run tight ships. On balance, though, Simon's First Law holds up. ([*Why New Systems Fail*](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-why-new-systems-fail?ref=philsimon.com) contains plenty of studies to this effect.) ## Car Insurance Chaos Case in point: I recently switched car insurance companies. We'll call the new one *ABC* here. (Fun fact: The real outfit set up shop in [1864](https://www.travelers.com/about-travelers/travelers-history?ref=philsimon.com).) After pulling the trigger, the following happened over the next week: - ABC kept sending me updates on my initial quote—again, *after* I purchased the policy. (I can only imagine what type of antiquated CRM it's running.) - I could not access my new policy on either ABC's website or in its primite iOS app. Customer service advised me that its systems (plural) weren't working for new customers. You know, the ones most likely to cut bait. - Making matters worse, ABC's iPhone app didn't support Apple Wallet, a tool that [arrived in 2012](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple%5FWallet?ref=philsimon.com). Save a photo and nervously try to find it when pulled over like it's 2007\. - To track my mileage and safe-driver discount, I would have to regularly snap photos of my car's odometer and send them to ABC. (By contrast, consider my previous insurance provider, Lemonade. It let me plug a simple dongle into my automobile's [OBD-II port](https://www.lemonade.com/car/pay-per-mile/explained/obd-port-location/?ref=philsimon.com). No photos and uploads necessary.) Within a week, I canceled my coverage and returned to Geico. True to form, ABC sent me a reminder for my active quote the next day. (You just can't make this stuff up. Maybe it sent more, but I added some code to [my sophisticated Fastmail filters](https://www.philsimon.com/godaddy-and-microsoft-failed-me-claude/).) [On Databases, Tattoos, and Teaching PhilosophiesAn approach to dealing with ever-shortening attention spans.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/New-Phil-Logo-BR-1-4840cd09-3664-40e1-845e-4c9d0051c264.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/tattoos-be35bfe8-005a-45e3-8775-27bfe2a4fe63.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/on-databases-and-tattoos/) ## Simon Says: I dodged a bullet. In a way, I'm happy that I experienced this level of tech ineptitude with ABC right out of the gate. Things would have been much worse if another car had hit mine or vice versa months or years down the road. Give ABC credit for lasting so long. If it doesn't fix its enterprise systems and mobile app soon, though, its days as a viable independent entity are numbered. ### On AI, Automation, and Critical Thinking URL: https://www.philsimon.com/automation-critical-thinking/ Last updated: 2026-06-16T13:25:10.000Z Last year, I fired up [Relay.app](https://www.philsimon.com/more-multimodal-ai-adventures/) to automate a key process I had been completing manually. (I'll keep the specifics to myself here.) A few minutes of work saved me probably a few hours in the past twelve months. It all ran like clockwork. I woke up the other day to find this email in my inbox: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/06/email.jpg) Relay.app Email | Click on the image to enlarge it. I suspect that the software vendor cut off or restricted access to its API. Relay.app and its users were casualties. Once you've automated an important manual process, who wants to revert? [Not this geek](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/automation). In today's short post, I'll explain how Claude Code and I built a better mousetrap. ## Searching for Alternatives When I asked Claude Code what I should use as a Relay.app replacement, it logically spit out the similar no-code tool [n8n](https://n8n.io/?ref=philsimon.com). Before continuing, I questioned its recommendation (as you always should with any AI). What's to stop Vendor X from doing the same to n8n next week or next year? Precisely nothing. ## Sign up for Phil Simon Phil Simon is the award-winning author of 14 books, a dynamic keynote speaker, and a massive Notion geek and developer. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. A little research and trial-and-error with Claude Code revealed that no current API would allow me to do what I wanted. Undeterred, I suspected that we could write a Python script that calls [the Playwright automation library](%20 https://saucelabs.com/resources/blog/getting-started-with-playwright-testing). After all, that approach has paid dividends over the last few months. (Again, I'm being intentionally vague here.) > A little critical thinking goes a long way. I invoked the insanely useful [/grill-me skill](https://github.com/mattpocock/skills/blob/main/skills/productivity/grill-me/SKILL.md?ref=philsimon.com) and confirmed the viability of the Python/Playwright approach. Claude Code and I then went to work. In a single session lasting 45 minutes, we cooked up a new, more robust automation. [Vibe Coding Band-AidsCitizen developers can now access a powerful new tool when their existing applications don’t work as expected.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-096e1b3d-3b70-4ea3-b085-941e5b798cd9.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/a_robot_carefully_applying_a-8e3a2a2b-1d33-4435-a268-d2e67d556cd2.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/vibe-coding-band-aids/) ## Simon Says My newfangled Python/Mac solution works, but it probably isn't permanent. Code breaks. At some point in the future, there's a good chance that I'll have to perform some maintenance on it. This little yarn demonstrated, though, the power and variety of tools available to curious citizen developers. Once again, no API? [No problem](https://www.philsimon.com/no-api-no-problem/). ### More Multimodal AI Adventures URL: https://www.philsimon.com/more-multimodal-ai-adventures/ Last updated: 2026-06-09T13:28:34.000Z Last week I used NotebookLM to [generate two podcasts](https://www.philsimon.com/adventures-in-multimodal-ai/) based on Chapter 1 of my book [*Low-Code/No-Code*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-low-code-no-code/)*.* In today's post, I'll continue my experiment by asking it to generate a brief explainer video of the same book. Let's light this candle. ## The Prompt In the same notebook I created last week, I prompted Google's sophisticated AI tool and included the link to the book. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/06/prompt.jpeg) Prompt and Response: June 4, 2026 | Click on the image to enlarge it. Here's NotebookLM's result: Decent video, but it focuses solely on the excerpt I had uploaded last week. Put differently, I gave the AI explicit instructions to create a video covering the whole book and the link to the Amazon page. Instead, NotebookLM opted to concentrate only on the first chapter. > AI still routinely fails to make obvious calls I could pick nits for another hour or so, but here's another biggie: the cover includes the word *excerpt*. I was curious to see if it would correct the mistake or repeat it. Ideally, NotebookLM would remove the word—or at least call out the current cover image and ask me if I wanted to keep it as is. Any video editor worth her salt would. ## Attempt #2 I then made my prompt as specific as possible: You're focusing on just the PDF. The video should reflect the entire book. Here's the book description. #### Low-Code/No-Code Description For decades, our relationship with workplace technology has been, in a word, complicated. The pandemic only made it more so. The stats are astonishing. Two in three employers can’t find qualified candidates to fill their open IT positions. By 2024, the deficit of software developers in the US alone will hit 500,000\. Supply and demand for techies are out of whack and, most alarmingly, there's no end in sight. The effects of this labor market imbalance are profound and difficult to overstate. Nearly three in four technology leaders can’t focus on their strategic priorities. Countless other firms, departments, teams, and leaders struggle because IT can’t deliver the tools they so desperately need. Adding salt to the wound, business units now need new applications to address the logistical challenges that pervasive remote and hybrid work pose. Organizations are at a crossroads. They need to solve these thorny tech problems. Now. But how? In **Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications*, world-renowned workplace technology expert and award-winning author Phil Simon squares this circle. His thirteenth book deftly illustrates how, thanks to powerful new tools and a new breed of employees, organizations are finally fulfilling critical business needs and reducing their reliance on pricey software developers. **Low-Code/No-Code* is an invaluable treasure trove of insightful analysis, synthesis, examples, and advice that has arrived at the perfect time. This is the second video NotebookLM generated: Better than the first attempt, but hardly perfect. Again, the cover in the video includes the word *excerpt*. Also, the design is a little inconsistent. Next up, as my [speaking](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking) clients know, I'm not a fan of displaying complex visuals while the narrator is talking. Brass tacks: NotebookLM's videos are nowhere near as professional as the book's proper trailer. Judge for yourself. **Low-Code/No-Code* Book Trailer Note the trailer's color and style ubiquity. The free, AI-generated ones just don't compare to the final, human-made version. [Claude and CardioApple Health’s data visualizations are surprisingly basic, so I used AI to generate real insights into my workouts.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-6ac9d2ff-fab1-4694-833a-ddbc6fbc161e.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/bald_muscular_man_with_goatee-83ae06db-b4f8-4622-b242-c7bd2284d326.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/claude-and-cardio/) ## Simon Says Could I have spent more time finagling with NotebookLM? Of course, but there are limits to my geekdom. For now, just remember two things. First, with AI, you get what you pay for. Authors are better off omitting an explainer video from their marketing materials than creating a cheap one that tarnishes their brands. Second and more generally, AI still routinely fails to make obvious calls. NotebookLM proved as much by twice ignoring the word *excerpt*. Don't expect that reality to change anytime soon. ### Adventures in Multimodal AI URL: https://www.philsimon.com/adventures-in-multimodal-ai/ Last updated: 2026-06-03T13:57:04.000Z Readers of my site know that I'm [all in on Claude](https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-claude/). That doesn't mean, though, that we're in an exclusive relationship. As I recently wrote, foolish are the souls who only [carry one AI club in their bags](https://www.philsimon.com/golf-clubs-and-ai-tools/). Against that backdrop and inspired by Joanna Stern's hysterical new book [*I Am Not a Robot: My Year Using AI to Do (Almost) Everything*](https://amzn.to/3RY95Nq?ref=philsimon.com), I decided to noodle a little more with Google's [NotebookLM](https://notebooklm.google.com/?ref=philsimon.com). ## Going From Text to Audio Yesterday, I launched Notebook LM and promptly uploaded Chapter 1 of [*Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-low-code-no-code/)*.* (Download the original PDF excerpt [here](https://www.philsimon.com/book-excerpts/).) I then gave it the following prompt: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/06/LM.jpeg) Prompt to NotebookLM | Click on the image to enlarge it. Half an hour later, NotebookLM dutifully spit out two professional, twentyish-minute interviews of topics discussed in that chapter. The final products are anything but robotic. Rather, they sound remarkably natural with the occasional vocal tic. Here they are, along with their AI-generated descriptions. ## Sign up for Simon Says Weekly insights on AI, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. No bullshit. Unsubscribe anytime. ### Broken IT Departments In this interview-style podcast, author Phil Simon discusses the struggle of modern workplace technology, focusing on the critical shortage of software developers and how IT backlogs lead employees to resort to shadow IT. ### Trillions Spent This overview examines the persistent chasm between leadership's positive view of workplace tech and the reality of employee frustration, despite trillions of dollars in global IT spending. ## A Minor Modification Ultimately, I wanted these AI-generated conversations to live here. The only issue: unnecessarily large file sizes. Each `.wav` file ran about 40 MB. Before uploading them to Cloudflare and embedding them here, a little shrinkage was in order. (Cue obligatory [*Seinfeld*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG2dF5PS0bI&ref=philsimon.com) reference.) Claude Code wrote the Terminal code to shrink them. Before deciding on hosting, you should compress these first. M4A files at 40+ MB are almost certainly encoded at higher than necessary bitrates for voice audio. FFmpeg can shrink them dramatically without audible quality loss: ffmpeg -i Why\_your\_company\_IT\_is\_so\_broken.m4a -b:a 64k output.m4a 64 kbps is fine for speech. That would take a 40 MB file down to roughly 8–10 MB — a 75–80% reduction. True to form, Claude's Terminal command considerably shrunk each file. [Claude and CardioApple Health’s data visualizations are surprisingly basic, so I used AI to generate real insights into my workouts.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-1d28336e-dbe8-41fb-9074-3463f65ce62a.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/bald_muscular_man_with_goatee-2e271c86-cc60-4f1d-9d4a-2dc4ed5026e4.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/claude-and-cardio/) ## Simon Says: AI jargon is everywhere, but expect this term to stick. I could quibble a bit with the results, but NotebookLM's output impressed the hell out of me. Even three years ago, transforming even raw text—much less a sophisticated PDF—into audio of this quality would have taken much, much longer. This simple example illustrates the unprecedented power of today's AI tools. They are truly new, and it's no coincidence that [use of the term *multimodal* is spiking](https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=multimodal&year%5Fstart=1800&year%5Fend=2022&corpus=en&smoothing=3&ref=philsimon.com). Unlike much AI jargon, expect this one and [AI slop](https://www.philsimon.com/ai-slop-paradox/) to stick. how can i navigate the dizzying future of work? [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/book2_teal.gif)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRTHYMKH?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com) Check out my award-winning book, **The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace.* [BUY THE BOOK ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRTHYMKH?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com) 🤖 ****Disclosure:** I wrote this post myself but used Claude to finesse its ending. ### On Golf Clubs and AI Tools URL: https://www.philsimon.com/golf-clubs-and-ai-tools/ Last updated: 2026-06-03T00:21:15.000Z What should you do when a vendor's native features fail you and you despise manual work? Go to the bag. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Vibe Coding Band-Aids URL: https://www.philsimon.com/vibe-coding-band-aids/ Last updated: 2026-05-18T14:13:54.000Z Citizen developers can now access a powerful new tool when their existing applications don't work as expected. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### No API? No Problem. URL: https://www.philsimon.com/no-api-no-problem/ Last updated: 2026-07-21T14:57:52.000Z Exploring a newish way that non-developers can use AI to efficiently answer complicated questions. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### My Furniture Fiasco URL: https://www.philsimon.com/my-furniture-fiasco/ Last updated: 2026-05-09T14:06:46.000Z Enshittification is everywhere today, especially in customer service. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Which Software Vendors Will Survive the AI Disruption Tsunami? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/will-ai-kill-enterprise-systems/ Last updated: 2026-05-28T12:29:54.000Z You won't find many bigger fans of generative AI than yours truly—[and Claude in particular](https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-claude/). Plenty of learned folks believe that single-purpose tools, like [note-taking apps](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geIKyDaXwGg&t=450s&ref=philsimon.com), will go the way of the dodo. In short, I agree. I'm on record predicting [most niche software vendors will go *poof*](https://www.philsimon.com/why-most-niche-software-vendors-will-soon-perish/)in the near future. But what about enterprise systems? In this post, I'll explain why most of them will survive. ## How Are You Using That App? I will never claim to be an expert on every task management, productivity, and note-taking app out there. Popular choices include Coda, Bear, Obsidian, and Todoist. I do, however, know a thing or six about [Notion](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/notion/). For the sake of argument, say that the Notion universe consists of only two groups: basic and power users. ### Group #1 A software vendor's app relies heavily on casual users. The majority of these folks use it in a limited way. Maybe 70 percent of people just scribble down the occasional idea in the note-taking app. You needn't be a sorcerer to know how this movie ends: Claude Cowork and similar tools will make these simple apps obsolete. (Zapier, Make.com, and other third-party *glueware* are in similar boats.) ### Group #2 Now let's move to power users. I'm talking about people who use the app or system for much more than taking notes. Notion performs dozens of functions for folks in this cohort. Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or one of their competitors will ultimately cannibalize such a versatile tool anytime soon. 🖥️ ****Let Me Count the Ways** I firmly put myself in this camp. Organizations and individuals hire me to build [bespoke systems](https://www.philsimon.com/services-notion-development/) for them. Notion serves as my CRM. I generate quotes and manage complicated projects (such as [books](https://www.racketpublishing.com/product-rackethub/?ref=philsimon.com)) from it. It helps me [evaluate service providers](https://www.notion.com/templates/simple-service-provider-evaluation-tool?ref=philsimon.com) and [plan trips](https://www.notion.com/templates/trip-planning-packing-and-task-database-794?ref=philsimon.com). I could go on, but you get my drift. For Notion power users, the idea that a newfangled AI tool can replace it is absurd. Now, let's kick it up a level: If a single *individual* is unlikely to supplant Notion with Claude, then will even a medium-sized enterprise forgo its core systems? want to learn more about citizen development? [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/book2_teal.gif)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B9R48W99/ref=dbs%5Fa%5Fdef%5Frwt%5Fbibl%5Fvppi%5Fi0?ref=philsimon.com) Check out my 2023 book **Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications.* [BUY THE BOOK ](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B9R48W99/ref=dbs%5Fa%5Fdef%5Frwt%5Fbibl%5Fvppi%5Fi0?ref=philsimon.com) ## A Key Software Distinction Generative AI tools are inherently [non-deterministic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nondeterministic%5Fprogramming?ref=philsimon.com). Sure, they'll continue to improve, [reduce hallucinations](https://www.philsimon.com/equal-opportunity-hallucinator/), and ultimately reduce [tool sprawl](https://www.techtarget.com/searchitoperations/definition/What-is-tool-sprawl-Explaining-how-IT-teams-can-avoid-it?ref=philsimon.com). By contrast, CRM and ERP systems of record are [deterministic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deterministic%5Falgorithm?ref=philsimon.com). They are far too important to leave to chance. “I *usually* want to get employees' checks right,” said no payroll manager ever. What's more, these vendors behind these enterprise systems recognize the need for their wares to [evolve](https://erp.today/is-ai-the-death-of-erp-not-quite-but-it-might-just-kill-the-front-end/?ref=philsimon.com). > CRM and ERP systems won't disappear. Connecting the dots leaves one answer: enterprise systems will certainly morph. In particular, [their UIs](https://john.onolan.org/i-built-a-cli-for-ghost/?ref=john-onolan-newsletter) will undergo massive makeovers. It's folly, though, to think that they'll completely disappear. And plenty of others feel the same way. [Claude and CardioApple Health’s data visualizations are surprisingly basic, so I used AI to generate real insights into my workouts.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-215.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/bald_muscular_man_with_goatee-1.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/claude-and-cardio/) ## Simon's Law of AI Disruption The more diverse the software, the more likely it is to survive the AI tsunami. ## Feedback What say you? ### Thoughts on Zapier's Al Fluency Rubric URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thoughts-on-zapiers-al-fluency-rubric/ Last updated: 2026-04-01T16:50:48.000Z Impressive grids on employee expectations won't deliver results without proper employee training. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Two Claude Prompts for a Blurry World URL: https://www.philsimon.com/two-claude-prompts-for-a-blurry-world/ Last updated: 2026-07-24T02:35:00.000Z Tool demarcation is eroding. Ask AI a few early questions if you want to minimize rework. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Anthropic's New Feature Frenzy URL: https://www.philsimon.com/anthropic-new-feature-frenzy/ Last updated: 2026-07-21T00:21:16.000Z When it comes to embracing new technologies, I've always been an early adopter. My friends in grad school still fondly remember my exuberance over the nascent web. I'll take the Pepsi challenge against anyone. (Thank you, Carnegie Mellon.) At the same time, though, I have to admit: I'm struggling to keep up with Anthropic's crazy pace of innovation. ## Recent Additions As I write these words, here are just some of the features the company has dropped *in the last few days:* 1. The ability to fully [control your computer](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/24/anthropic-claude-ai-agent-use-computer-finish-tasks.html?ref=philsimon.com) on whatever device you like—subject to a few caveats. (Cool, but yikes!) 2. [Claude Cowork Projects](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/14116274-organize-your-tasks-with-projects-in-cowork?ref=philsimon.com). 3. [Claude Code Channels](https://www.threads.com/@boris%5Fcherny/post/DWFohOyE1on/video-we-just-released-claude-code-channels-in-research-preview-it-allows-you-to?ref=philsimon.com). 4. [Memory 2.0](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nateherkelman%5Fclaude-code-just-dropped-memory-20-anthropic-activity-7442225812269068288-GWZ%5F/?ref=philsimon.com). 5. [Auto mode](https://claude.com/product/claude-code?ref=philsimon.com#auto-mode) to grant or restrict Claude Code's access on your computer. (It's a safer alternative to `--dangerously-skip-permissions`. To be fair, you may not have seen any or all of these new releases just yet for whatever reason. Possible culprits include: - Anthropic's gradual rollout of the feature. - The responsibilities of your day job. - A plan restriction. - A combination of all three. Maybe it's something else. Hell, by the time you read these words, Anthropic may have released two more insanely useful capabilities. ## Unexpected UI Changes Yesterday, I was testing Claude's cool new Dispatch feature when I noticed a lightbulb icon in Claude Cowork: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/03/SCR-20260324-pghq.png) Claude Cowork Screenshot | Click on the image to enlarge it. I went all Krusty the Klown: Even Claude couldn't confidently give me an answer. Here's my prompt: What's a Claude Cowork idea? Reply: The "Ideas" label on the lightbulb icon likely shows suggested tasks or prompts Claude thinks might be useful — similar to how Claude.ai sometimes surfaces conversation starters. It's squarely aimed at non-developers who want automation without writing code or using Claude Code. *Likely* shows. Even Anthropic's own chatbot can't keep up with its torrid pace of innovation. ## Sign up for Simon Says Weekly insights on AI, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. No bullshit. Unsubscribe anytime. ## Looking at the Data Always [curious](https://www.philsimon.com/the-curiosity-dividend/), I looked at the Claude Code [changelog](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/changelog?ref=philsimon.com) and asked [my AI bestie](https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-claude/) to visualize the number of recent changes in that tool alone. In other words, I omitted Claude Cowork, vanilla Claude, and change Anthropic classified as a *fix*. Here's the breakdown: Claude Code Recent Features by Day Source: [Anthropic](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/changelog?ref=philsimon.com) | For some reason, Claude omitted changes after March 21. --- Of course, some enhancements are more meaningful than others. Still, nary a weekday goes by without something new appearing in the Claude suite of tools. [GoDaddy and Microsoft Failed Me. Then Came Claude.Switching email hosting services neutered my intricate Outlook system. AI helped me find a new provider and reimagine how to prevent spam.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-216.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/ai_assistant_superhero_in_a-1.jpeg)](https://www.philsimon.com/godaddy-and-microsoft-failed-me-claude/) ## Simon Says If I have learned anything over my three decades in enterprise technology, it's this: Tech typically moves much faster than people and organizations can handle. The rise of AI in the last few years reflects that reality in spades. > Is it possible to keep a workforce current on tools that change by the day? No one is more critical of organizations failing to train their employees properly on new tools than I. (It's a key point in [*Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-project-management-in-the-hybrid-workplace/).) At the same time, however, is it possible to keep a workforce current on tools that morph by the day? In a word, *no*. ### Claude: The Ultimate Utility Player URL: https://www.philsimon.com/claude-the-ultimate-utility-player/ Last updated: 2026-03-23T18:39:19.000Z My favorite AI tool helped me quickly solve four very different problems—all before 10 am one March morning. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### A Simple Example of AI Agents in Action URL: https://www.philsimon.com/simple-ai-agent-example/ Last updated: 2026-07-08T14:40:38.000Z I learned early on in my career that there is no such thing as perfect software. For decades, I've found different systems and apps limiting in small but critical ways. Out of the box, different tools often can't do exactly what my clients or I need them to do. As a result, I've had to create a variety of workarounds over the years—some of which have lasted far longer than I anticipated. In today's post, I'll describe one of the most fascinating and powerful aspects of agentic AI: the ability to overcome a software product's core limitations. ## The Fleas No Longer Come With the Dog Notion's native automations are ridiculously useful. I use them with [all my clients](https://www.philsimon.com/now-available-custom-notion-development/), but they [cannot trigger other automations](https://www.notion.com/help/database-automations?ref=philsimon.com). Evidently, it would cause a glitch in *The Matrix*. Fortunately, there's been a quick, relatively simple fix for a long time: 1. Create an integration with a third-party tool. Zapier and Make.com are popular choices. 2. Link the new integration to the Notion database in question. *Voilà!* ## Sign up for Simon Says Weekly insights on AI, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. No bullshit. Unsubscribe anytime. ## Pros and Cons On one hand, as I write in [*Low-Code/No-Code*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-low-code-no-code/)*,* it's never been easier to get these tchotchkes to play nice with other apps. On the other, they add another layer of complexity—not to mention potential technical complications and licensing issues down the road. Up until recently, most people accepted the limitation and went with the third-party tool. The fleas came with the dog. The rise of AI agents, however, has changed the game. For example, consider [a simple recurring task](https://www.notion.com/releases/2022-11-08?ref=philsimon.com). Notion lets you add them to existing databases according to set schedules (daily, hourly, or weekly). If a tree falls in a forest, though, would you hear it? Less abstractly, you need to use one of those third-party tools to alert you of that new task. ![a fallen tree laying on the ground next to a river](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1709161532657-42fb5d805893?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDExfHx0cmVlJTIwZmFsbGluZ3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzM4NzkxOTV8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Alex Reynolds](https://unsplash.com/@foxinframe?ref=philsimon.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) Thanks to Notion [custom agents](https://www.notion.com/blog/introducing-custom-agents?ref=philsimon.com), those days are over. ## Solving the Problem via AI Agents Here's a test database after a Notion recurring task auto-populated it: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/03/Notionopbb.jpeg) Test Notion Database | Click on the image to enlarge it. I had also created a simple notification. If another user added a task to that database, then Notion would notify me: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/03/Notionopet.jpeg) Notion Alert Setup | Click on the image to enlarge it. But here's the rub: That notification would not work on auto-generated recurring tasks without a third-party integration. Without one, I'd never know about the new task *unless I manually checked that database*. (Again, Notion notifications can't fire based on other notifications.) To circumvent that limitation without a third-party integration, I created this simple Notion custom agent: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/03/Notionoovu.jpeg) Notion Custom Agent | Click on the image to enlarge it. True to form, Notion dutifully alerted me of the new task at 4:15 pm my time: ![your alt text](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/03/image.png) Total time spent: maybe three minutes. Technically, a native Notion *notification* did not trigger the notification. Rather, a Notion *custom agent* triggered the notification. The semantics don't matter to my clients. More important, I have solved their problem. [Notion Formulas Based on AttachmentsImpossible? Think again.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-213.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1635070041409-e63e783ce3c1)](https://www.philsimon.com/notion-formulas-attachments/) ## Simon Says This is just one of many examples of how AI agents can be useful—and not just in Notion. Stay tuned. They're only becoming more useful. They'll probably never be perfect, but it's downright silly to ignore them. Need help building a Notion system? [LET'S CHAT ](https://www.philsimon.com/services-notion-development/) ### GoDaddy and Microsoft Failed Me. Then Came Claude. URL: https://www.philsimon.com/godaddy-and-microsoft-failed-me-claude/ Last updated: 2026-03-17T22:28:11.000Z Switching email hosting services neutered my intricate Outlook system. AI helped me find a new provider and reimagine how to prevent spam. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Multimodal Miscues URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ais-multimodal-miscues/ Last updated: 2026-06-05T00:26:05.000Z I'm preparing for my first 2026 speaking gig. The topic shouldn't surprise anyone these days: AI with a dash of [citizen development](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/citizen-development/). As I do with all [my talks](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking), I bring my receipts in the form of data. Lots of data. To that end, why not enlist AI to help me generate compelling visualizations? It's not a difficult ask. Standalone AI image generators have existed [since 1973](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AARON?ref=philsimon.com). These days, you need neither a dedicated tool to produce computer-generated JPG and PNG files nor a design program like [Canva](https://partner.canva.com/a12X2W?ref=philsimon.com). Put differently, mainstream AI chatbots are multimodal. As you'll see in this post, they continue to make plenty of baffling non-text mistakes. ## Prompting Gemini I used Claude's deep research feature to generate some recent surveys and studies on AI in the workplace. I threw the results into Notion, took a screenshot of one promising survey, and then crossed over to Gemini. Here's my initial prompt: Turn this picture into a bar chart. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/01/gemini1.jpeg) Notion Image Uploaded to Gemini, January 28, 2026 | Click to enlarge it. Here's its initial response: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/01/gemini2.jpeg) Gemini Result, January 28, 2026 | Click on the image to enlarge it. That's the data in a structured format. It's a good start, but Gemini failed to produce the requested chart. I responded with the following prompt. Where's the bar chart? I just see a table. And Gemini then gave me the abomination below: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/01/gemini3.jpeg) Gemini Result, January 28, 2026 | Click on the image to enlarge it. See a problem? > Sometimes, it's just quicker to pretend that Gemini, Perplexity, and ChatGPT don't exist. I had to go old school. ## Sign up for Simon Says Weekly insights on AI, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. No bullshit. Unsubscribe anytime. ## AI as a Designer For [a recent post's featured image](https://www.philsimon.com/schwarzenegger-hallucinations-titanic-ai), I gave Google's much-hyped [Nano Banana](https://aistudio.google.com/models/gemini-2-5-flash-image?ref=philsimon.com) the following prompt: Draw a picture in this style of Arnold Schwarzenegger watching a movie. Nano Banana required four attempts to return something passable. Pictures of decapitated celebrities aren't my jam. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/01/1st.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/01/2nd.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/01/3rd-1.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/01/4th.jpeg) The Fourth Time Was a Charm | Image Sources: Google Nano Banana [Adventures in Multimodal AIThoughts on the transformative and unprecedented power of today’s tools.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-8cef6cb7-cd0d-41cd-9089-aad60c0187e1.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/person_sitting_in_chair_wearing-fdb30a01-68ab-42b9-9033-25c90b2ab4b9.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/adventures-in-multimodal-ai/) ## The AI Paradox Is Alive and Well So smart one minute and so dumb the next. Expect plenty of [hallucinations](https://www.philsimon.com/harold-baines/)—and not just in text-based responses. Such is life in the age of AI. Sometimes, it's just quicker to pretend that Gemini, Perplexity, and ChatGPT don't exist. ## Feedback What say you? ### Schwarzenegger's Titanic Appearance and Other Hallucinations URL: https://www.philsimon.com/schwarzenegger-hallucinations-titanic-ai/ Last updated: 2026-03-02T19:23:18.000Z A post on digital clones and AI's continued inability to separate fact from fiction. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Claude and Cardio URL: https://www.philsimon.com/claude-and-cardio/ Last updated: 2026-02-23T14:38:39.000Z Getting a proper sweat going every day doesn't just keep me in shape; it keeps me sane. I religiously log my workouts via [Strava](https://www.strava.com/?ref=philsimon.com) and Apple Health. Those two apps provide basic information on my workouts, not penetrating analysis. (Admittedly, I'm on the free plan for each one, and [Apple *may* enhance its Health app at some point this year](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-05/apple-is-scaling-back-plans-for-new-ai-based-health-coach-service?ref=philsimon.com).) ## Data Deficiencies At present, neither one lets me easily slice and dice my workout data. Now, I don't need to know the total number of [devil's presses](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C1iixGN9M8&ref=philsimon.com) I've done. I would, however, like answers to specific questions. Examples include: 1. What's the average number of calories I burn during my Thursday [HIIT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity%5Finterval%5Ftraining?ref=philsimon.com) workouts? Has the number changed over the last few years? 2. What about my walks since last April? 3. I notice the signs at my gym that contain [grammatical errors](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/the-wrong-kind-of-workout/?ref=philsimon.com) and [confusing sentences](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/writer-sloppiness/?ref=philsimon.com). Fine, but what else do I do there during a typical week? 4. How much time have I spent getting my ass kicked in Heated Warrior Sculpt since I decided to torture myself? 5. How do my workouts break down by time? A simple histogram would answer that question. 6. How did my 2024 ankle injury affect my exercise routine? 7. Do I really chill on Sundays—my scheduled active recovery? You get the drift. Beyond specifics, on a macro level, I can't observe general trends beyond those apps' decidedly limited views. What to do? ## Building a Better Workout Analysis Mousetrap Fortunately, we live in an era of [citizen development](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/citizen-development/). Any curious soul with minimal tech chops can easily create interactive data visualizations, all without a pricey Tableau license or JavaScript background. After exporting my Apple Health data to a messy XML file on my MacBook Pro, I let Claude—[my favorite tool](https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-claude/)—go to work on the massive file. It created a [Python](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/python/) script that parsed the data to a proper, much cleaner [CSV](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma-separated%5Fvalues?ref=philsimon.com) format. I ran the script in Claude Code, and it provided summary stats: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/IMG_8201.jpeg) Summary of Workout Data | Sources: Claude Code and Apple Health | Click on the image to enlarge it. want to learn more about citizen development? [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/book2_teal.gif)](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B9R48W99/ref=dbs%5Fa%5Fdef%5Frwt%5Fbibl%5Fvppi%5Fi0?ref=philsimon.com) Check out my 2023 book **Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications.* [BUY THE BOOK ](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B9R48W99/ref=dbs%5Fa%5Fdef%5Frwt%5Fbibl%5Fvppi%5Fi0?ref=philsimon.com) Interesting, but not remotely visual. Surely we could do better than this simple table. Much better. After all, it's not 1997. It was time to take it up a notch. Forty minutes of additional futzing in Claude and Claude Code resulted in a slick *interactive* dashboard: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/workout_dashboard-1.gif) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/sessions.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/walking.png) Images From Interactive Dashboard | Source: Claude Code | Click on one to enlarge it. A chart or dashboard to answer simple queries is overkill, though. I fired up Claude and asked the dataset questions in natural language. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/pilates.png) Simple Prompt and Response | Click on the image to enlarge it. Of course, you might decide later that you want a graph after all. Ask, and ye shall receive: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/prompt.jpeg) Seconds later: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/pilates2-1.png) Chart Based on Claude Prompt and Answer | Click on the image to enlarge it. Mouse over a part of the bar chart, and the date and the number of calories burned appear. ## Sign up for Simon Says Weekly insights on AI, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. No bullshit. Unsubscribe anytime. ## Flexes and Limitations My DIY workout tool represents a vast improvement over Apple Health and Strava, but it's hardly perfect. For starters, the dashboard doesn't automatically sync workouts. In other words, it won't update after I complete a one-hour GTX class. As a workaround, I would have to either: 1. Run this cumbersome [ETL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extract,%5Ftransform,%5Fload?ref=philsimon.com) process each time I want to examine my most recent workout data. 2. Pay for the third-party Mac app [Health Auto Export](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/health-auto-export-json-csv/id1115567069?ref=philsimon.com) or some alternative. 3. Get creative with [HealthKit](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/healthkit?ref=philsimon.com). In a related vein, my solution also won't alert me if my routine suddenly changes. Finally, it inexplicably fails to count the two or so miles I sprint ~~run~~ on a treadmill during each HIIT workout. Evidently, Apple Health infuriatingly ignores mileage data during these classes. From Claude: Apple Health simply doesn't record distance for strength and HIIT workouts — those fields are empty in the CSV for all 1,315 sessions across those two types. That makes sense: neither workout type involves covering ground, so Apple Watch never captures a distance value for them. Sorry, Claude, it doesn't make sense. Apple's omission flunks the logic test. (See above.) By my math, the company's decision has effectively cost me over 2,000 miles of treadmill pounding since I started wearing its watch. Call me vain if you like, but I conducted this exercise explicitly to gain *better* visibility into my workouts. > What a great time to be a citizen developer. [Confidently WrongI asked Claude to evaluate my recent Claude Code activities. Its response infuriated me.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-208.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/baldguy-1.jpeg)](https://www.philsimon.com/confidently-wrong/) ## Simon Says Despite these limitations, my little creation provides insights into my exercise history that Apple Health and Strava—[apps with tens of millions of users](https://press.strava.com/about?ref=philsimon.com)—currently don't.[1](#fn:1) It's not even close. I shared the dashboard with a few of my instructor friends. They dug it and want me to show them how to use it after they kicked my ass during one of their classes this week. Along these lines, I decided to publish it on [GitHub](https://github.com/philsimon/apple-health-workout-parser-dashboard?ref=philsimon.com) as a public repo. (My friend and fellow Claude nut [Brad Feld](https://feld.com/?ref=philsimon.com) gave me the nudge I needed.) Steal it and fork away. Setting it up yourself is [pretty straightforward](https://github.com/philsimon/apple-health-workout-parser-dashboard/blob/master/README.md?ref=philsimon.com). If I can vibe code something so useful in a short period, so can you. What are you waiting for? 🤖 ****Disclosure:** I wrote this post myself, but Claude helped me finesse its title. #### Footnotes 1. At least to my knowledge and at the time of my writing. [↩](#fnref:1 "Jump back to content") ### AI Agents: A Reality Check URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ai-agents-a-reality-check/ Last updated: 2026-02-21T02:46:24.000Z Are these autonomous actors ready for prime time? Let's look at some recent data. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### On Claude Code and Stubbornness URL: https://www.philsimon.com/claude-code-and-stubbornness/ Last updated: 2026-03-16T20:58:00.000Z CRMs run the gamut. Behemoths need Salesforce to manage thousands of daily leads. At the other end of the spectrum are the CRM holdouts. Plenty of independent writers and speakers rely on their inboxes to manage a relatively small number of customers and prospects. Hell, even some hidebound small business owners think that email can serve as that type of critical business system. [It can't](https://www.philsimon.com/email-is-not-a-system/). I use a modified version of [this simple Notion-based CRM](https://www.notion.com/templates/simple-crm-project-tracker-639?ref=philsimon.com). It's not perfect, but it more than meets my needs. If you fill out [the contact form on my website](https://www.philsimon.com/connect), Notion will notify me that you want to discuss a potential speaking or writing engagement or media opportunity. ## The Continued Ubiquity of Spam Regardless of a CRM's size, some inquiries invariably will be bullshit or weak. The fleas come with the dog. [Captcha](https://www.philsimon.com/the-fascinating-story-behind-captcha/) helps, but little prevents determined spammers and scammers from filling out website forms with bum info—or writing scripts to do so. No surefire way exists to stop *all* meaningless messages from appearing in your CRM and wasting some of your time. You sure as hell aren't powerless against bad actors, though. Ours is an era of [citizen development](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/citizen-development/). One no longer needs to reflexively accept annoyances like spam—at least all the time. Under many circumstances, we can improve our tech. It just takes a little effort, [curiosity](https://www.philsimon.com/the-curiosity-dividend/), and [a smidge of stubbornness](https://www.philsimon.com/channeling-my-inner-bulldog-the-case-for-stubbornness/). ## Approach #1: No-Code Automation Tools I've been doing [Notion development](https://www.philsimon.com/services-notion-development/) long enough to know that I'd have to get creative. In other words, native/vanilla Notion wasn't going to get the job done. I began my quest to minimize CRM spam by exploring the glorious, magical no-code automation tchotchkes. Without a lick of coding knowledge, anyone can connect different systems and apps in thousands of ways. Zapier, Make.com, and [Relay.app](https://www.philsimon.com/confidently-wrong/) (my personal favorite) are just a few popular options. > Zapier, Make.com, and Relay.app can't do everything. Even when coupled with [Notion webhooks](https://developers.notion.com/reference/webhooks?ref=philsimon.com), these third-party, drag-and-drop tools can't do everything, though. They suffer from real limitations. For whatever reason, reliably deleting spammy entries from an existing Notion database seems to be one of them. ## Sign up for Simon Says Weekly insights on AI, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. No bullshit. Unsubscribe anytime. ## Approach #2: New NotionAI Features In theory, [Notion's new custom AI agents](https://www.notion.com/product/custom-agents?ref=philsimon.com)—now in beta—would do the trick. In a word, *nope*. Noodling with them bore no fruit. I had to manually delete bogus database entries despite Notion's frustrating assurances to the contrary. Different prompts didn't help. After about an hour, I pulled the plug on this method. Three years ago, I would have called it a day and admitted defeat. Today we all can access an insanely powerful tool. ![A red swiss army knife sitting on top of a wooden table](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1722376934693-694711925008?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDJ8fFN3aXNzJTIwQXJteSUyMGtuaWZlfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3MTIxNDQwM3ww&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Maciej Karoń](https://unsplash.com/@maciejka%5Fdslr?ref=philsimon.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) ## Approach #3: Agentic AI Claude Code gives non-developers superpowers. I suspected that, after creating [a custom Notion integration](https://developers.notion.com/guides/get-started/create-a-notion-integration?ref=philsimon.com), I could use the white-hot agentic Swiss Army knife to: 1. Suggest an *appropriate* way to automatically purge illegitimate inquiries from my Notion CRM database. (Importantly, Claude Code knows the extent of my technical chops after the last three months.) 2. Help me build it. Claude Code showed promise right out of the gate. After forumulating a plan with me, it went to work. The agentic AI tool spit out the requisite scripts and even set up the `cron` jobs for me. I did some testing and the script killed the spam. Forty-five minutes later, we crossed the finish line. [Pretty smart](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvMxbRCBalk&ref=philsimon.com). 💻 ****Under the Hood: A Little Notion Geekery** Inside Notion, when a new record arrives in my CRM, the app automatically identifies spam via some custom logic I built. Notion then sends offending messages to a dedicated database view—one intentionally with notifications silenced. In the end, the Python script knows which Notion records to kill. Finally, I can always retrieve false positives from the trash if need be. I decided to release this little doohickey as my first open-source project on GitHub. (Golf applause.) [VIEW THE GITHUB REPO](https://github.com/philsimon/public-notion-spam-delete-automation/tree/main?ref=philsimon.com) [Confidently WrongI asked Claude to evaluate my recent Claude Code activities. Its response infuriated me.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-207.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/baldguy.jpeg)](https://www.philsimon.com/confidently-wrong/) Go ahead and fork it. You certainly don't have to use it to kill spam in your Notion-based CRM. Perhaps you want to delete leads greater than ten years old. Use it on whatever Notion database and for whatever reason you like. Change the deletion interval. The world is your oyster. ### The Evolution of Generative AI Use: A Look at the Data URL: https://www.philsimon.com/evolution-ai-use/ Last updated: 2026-02-10T20:43:28.000Z In my previous [post](https://www.philsimon.com/life-as-an-analyst-then-and-now), I examined how the role of the analyst has evolved over the past three decades. TL;DR: Much has changed—and the rise of powerful AI tools is perhaps the biggest reason. Today I'll zoom out and examine some more general questions about AI usage. I'll fuse hard data with some observations. ## Is Employee Adoption of AI Tools Increasing? In short, yes—and rapidly. Late last year, [Gallup](https://tinyurl.com/alteryx-ps01?ref=philsimon.com) reported that nearly half of US employees had dipped their toes in the pool. That's nearly twice as many as two years prior. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/AI-Use-Continues-to-Grow-Among-U.S.-Workers.png) 📊 I would love to slice and dice this data by age and industry. ### My Take No shocker here. We've known for more than six decades about [the technology adoption life cycle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology%5Fadoption%5Flife%5Fcycle?ref=philsimon.com). From PCs to the web to smartphones to [Big Data](https://hbr.org/2014/02/how-to-get-over-your-inaction-on-big-data-2?ref=philsimon.com), there are always early adopters and laggards. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/talc.jpeg) Source: HBR ## How Are Employees Using AI Tools? Here are some interesting stats from a [February 2025 Pew Research study](https://tinyurl.com/alteryx-ps02https://tinyurl.com/alteryx-ps02?ref=philsimon.com) of more than 5,273 employed adults using AI chatbots: - 57% use these tools for research and information-finding. - 52% for editing written content. - 47% for drafting written content. ### My Take A year later, I suspect that employees are using AI to do far more than act as *de facto* copy editors and ad-free search engines. [Agentic AI](https://www.alteryx.com/glossary/agentic-ai?ref=philsimon.com) has arrived in earnest. Think of tools that can independently take action. And don't get me started on [model context protocols](https://www.anthropic.com/news/model-context-protocol?ref=philsimon.com). No, MCPs [haven't been around all that long](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model%5FContext%5FProtocol?ref=philsimon.com), but they are letting non-techies do things that would have previously required [years of programming](https://www.philsimon.com/the-generative-ai-tool-thats-blowing-my-mind/). ![man standing in front of people sitting beside table with laptop computers](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1542744173-8e7e53415bb0?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDF8fHRyYWluaW5nfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3MDE3MDM4OHww&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Campaign Creators](https://unsplash.com/@campaign%5Fcreators?ref=philsimon.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) ## What’s Inhibiting Further Employee AI Adoption? In some cases, it's the threat of being fired. From [a Cisco January 2024 ](https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2024/m01/organizations-ban-use-of-generative-ai-over-data-privacy-security-cisco-study.html?ref=philsimon.com)survey, 27 percent of respondents claimed that their employers *at the time* prohibited them from using GenAI applications. > Agentic AI has arrived in earnest. Another factor, undoubtedly, however, is employee training—or, rather, the lack thereof. Boston Consulting Group in June 2025 [discovered](https://tinyurl.com/alteryx-ps3?ref=philsimon.com) that nearly one-fifth of employees received no training on how to use these newfangled tools. Perhaps this fact explains why AI adoption among frontline workers had stalled. It essentially remained constant at 52 percent from 2024 to 2025\. ### My Take Again, I'm shocked that the training stat is not even higher. To be fair, a dearth of employee training does not explain everything related to uneven AI adoption. I've seen this movie before. I can recall many times during my career instances in which management refused to hire proper trainers to teach employees how to use new tech. Senior execs expected employees to pick up new apps and skills on their own time. Paradoxically, these folks would gripe that “the workforce wasn't embracing new tools.” Will Al Take Your Job? Not If You Build It First. I'll be speaking on an Alteryx webinar on March 10, 2026\. [REGISTER HERE ](https://www.alteryx.com/resources/webinar/alteryx-virtual-summit-will-ai-take-your-job-not-if-you-build-it-first?ref=philsimon.com) ## Are Employees Following Their Organizations’ AI Policies? The short answer is sometimes. A better question, though, is whether workers are even aware of the rules they should be following. [Gallup](https://tinyurl.com/alteryx-ps01?ref=philsimon.com) found that nearly one-quarter of employees don't know what—if anything—their employers are doing with AI. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/gallup2.jpeg) ### My Take I'm surprised that the percentage of oblivious employees who don't know isn't even higher. I have never seen a general-purpose tech arrive with such fanfare and change so rapidly. No doubt that many internal comms and HR folks struggle to keep current on such rapid developments. [Claude’s Third Report CardDid it bounce back from its first two substandard performances?![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-203.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/3-fingers-2.jpeg)](https://www.philsimon.com/claudes-third-report-card/) ## Simon Says Has generative AI made inroads in many organizations? Absolutely. In a way, though, its rise mirrors prior technological trends: loads of hype, uneven adoption, plenty of opportunity, and no shortage of [unmitigated disasters](https://www.customerexperiencedive.com/news/klarna-reinvests-human-talent-customer-service-AI-chatbot/747586/?ref=philsimon.com). ℹ️ The opinions in this post are mine, but [Alteryx](http://www.alteryx.com/?ref=philsimon.com) paid me to write it. ### Life as an Analyst: Then and Now URL: https://www.philsimon.com/life-as-an-analyst-then-and-now/ Last updated: 2026-02-20T17:34:59.000Z For decades, organizations have hired business or data analysts. I should know. In the mid-1990s, I entered the corporate world and held several of them before spreading my wings. It’s fair to say that the role has permeated organizations for decades—a trend that will continue for the foreseeable future. In 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics [reported](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm?ref=philsimon.com) that more than one million people held the role of *business analyst* in the US. What’s more, the department expects robust growth over the next decade compared to other roles. A [quick Indeed search](https://www.indeed.com/q-analyst-jobs.html?ref=philsimon.com) reveals no shortage of analyst roles. So, nothing has changed in the past 30 years, right? Hardly. In today’s post, I’ll describe how the analyst role has morphed over the past three decades. ## Yesterday’s Analyst: A Trip Down Memory Lane It’s fascinating to look at the history of tech and questions. Most germane to this post: How did firms frequently staff for the analyst position back then? Here’s an archived job description for a business analyst in 1998\. Give it a read. As expected, you’ll see plenty of 20th-century artifacts: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/alteryx1.png) Analyst Job Description Circa 1998 | Source: Claude It turns out that Y2K concerns were [largely overblown](https://time.com/5752129/y2k-bug-history/?ref=philsimon.com). At the time, though, it caused many executives a restless night. ### The Job: All About Data Analysts’ specific titles varied by employer, but one responsibility remained fairly constant: they worked with data. Lots and lots of *structured* data. Analysts’ managers heavily leaned on them to: 1. Gather it—typically from IT departments and legacy systems. 2. Cleanse it. (In my experience, the larger and more mature the organization, the older the systems, the worse the data quality.) 3. Analyze it. 4. Prepare static reports, charts, and recommendations on it. These reports typically explained what happened—not what is likely to happen. It’s essential to note that analysts needed their IT departments to make enterprise data available. Calls to support desks were common. Ditto for the [the IT-business divide](https://www.pwc.co.uk/assets/pdf/disconnected-the-it-business-divide.pdf?ref=philsimon.com). (Again, I was there.) Also, few people talked about analytics back then. Finally, business analysts by and large were not statisticians trained on advanced prediction methods. ### Automation and Tools As for automation, ambitious analysts could reduce manual work by creating macros in different Microsoft applications. [Visual Basic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual%5FBasic?ref=philsimon.com) proved invaluable to folks willing to get their hands dirty—if their employers didn’t ban it. Against this backdrop, it should be no surprise that analysts spent a great deal of time in front of their ugly beige boxes and now-primitive laptops. When it came to requirements, most analyst positions listed the typical tech stalwarts of the time. If you didn’t list proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Access, recruiters probably weren’t calling you back. Knowing [Structured Query Language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL?ref=philsimon.com) proved enormously useful. Less common applications included Crystal Reports and the early business-intelligence tools from Cognos: Impromptu and PowerPlay. For the most part, the arrows in analysts’ quivers remained relatively stagnant. Notable exceptions included: - The advent of pivot tables in [Excel 5.0 circa 1993](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pivot%5Ftable?ref=philsimon.com). (Yes, they blew my mind back then.) - The introduction of the infamous ribbon in [Office 2007](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribbon%5F%28user%5Finterface%29?ref=philsimon.com) that confused millions of users. Brass tacks: the analysts of yesterday spent a great deal of time doing manual work. Sure, their responsibilities were important, but few people would call it *strategic*. What about now? Has the position changed? If so, then how? ![Three people in a meeting at a table discussing schedule on their Microsoft laptop](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1633114128814-11fac33f707b?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDJ8fE1pY3Jvc29mdCUyMEV4Y2VsfGVufDB8fHx8MTc3MDA4NTA1OXww&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Windows](https://unsplash.com/@windows?ref=philsimon.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) ## Today’s Analyst To be sure, Microsoft Excel has evolved, and it remains many analysts’ go-to app. Don’t take my word for it, though. In 2025, Alteryx released a fascinating survey titled [The 2025 State of Data Analysts in the Age of AI](https://www.alteryx.com/about-us/newsroom/press-release/new-research-reveals-that-ai-brings-productivity-gains-but-reliance-on-spreadsheets-puts-data-quality-at-risk%5d%28https://www.alteryx.com/about-us/newsroom/press-release/new-research-reveals-that-ai-brings-productivity-gains-but-reliance-on-spreadsheets-puts-data-quality-at-risk?ref=philsimon.com). The company gathered data from 1,400 analysts across the globe. Among its most relevant findings here: - 76 percent of analysts surveyed still rely on spreadsheets for data preparation tasks. - Over the course of a typical work week, they still spend an average of 10-11 hours collecting data from multiple sources and preparing it.. Of course, the reasons vary. Based on my consulting experience, data quality remains a challenge in many firms. Forty-six percent of data analysts in the Alteryx study reported that it represented the greatest challenge when preparing data. So nothing has changed, right? Hardly. ### Vastly Improved Tools For starters, the tools available to analysts today are an order of magnitude better than they used to be. (Whether their employers choose to adopt them, however, is another matter.) Their benefits of embracing them are manifold. Who *wouldn’t* want [a vast reduction](https://www.alteryx.com/products/designer-cloud?ref=philsimon.com) in the time it takes to prepare data for analysis? Interactive data visualizations can obviate dozens of static reports, email attachments, and, ultimately, poor business decisions. Beyond better data prep and visualization, many other powerful, data-related applications exist today that were pipe dreams back then. The reasons vary, but the explosion of artificial intelligence and automation sits at the top of the list. > Contemporary tools can make sense of unstructured and semi-structured data far better than 90s-era tools can. Even better, today’s business applications are more accessible than ever. As I write in my book [*Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-low-code-no-code/?ref=philsimon.com), one needn’t possess mad coding chops to make them hum. ### An Example: Easier Data Prep As but one example, [Alteryx Auto Insights](https://www.alteryx.com/products/auto-insights?ref=philsimon.com) allows analysts—or anyone else, for that matter—to quickly glean valuable insights from boatloads of data. Here’s an example: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2026/02/alteryx2.webp) Alteryx Insights ## Simon Says: Today’s Analysts Are More Strategic Put everything together, and the role of the analyst has evolved a great deal over my career. Sure, they’ll still need to wrangle and fetch data, but not nearly to the same extent as they did a quarter-century ago. As a result, they can be far more strategic. Alteryx found that roughly 90 percent of data analysts surveyed agree that their role impacts strategic decision-making and that their influence on business decisions has increased in the past year. Will Al Take Your Job? Not If You Build It First. I'll be speaking on an Alteryx webinar on March 10, 2026\. [REGISTER HERE ](https://www.alteryx.com/resources/webinar/alteryx-virtual-summit-will-ai-take-your-job-not-if-you-build-it-first?ref=philsimon.com) ℹ️ The opinions in this post are mine, but [Alteryx](http://www.alteryx.com/?ref=philsimon.com) paid me to write it. ### Confidently Wrong URL: https://www.philsimon.com/confidently-wrong/ Last updated: 2026-02-03T15:39:16.000Z I asked Claude to evaluate my recent Claude Code activities. Its response infuriated me. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Looking for an Expert Tech Storyteller? Let's Chat. URL: https://www.philsimon.com/expert-tech-writer-available/ Last updated: 2026-02-06T23:48:48.000Z 🗓️ ****Updated February 5, 2026:** I tweaked this post's title and made a few other small changes. "There no boring subjects; there are only boring writers." —Gary Bencivenga --- Ours is a noisy world. There's no shortage of mediocre or downright awful tech writing out there. Many contemporary examples would fit well in an updated version of my 2015 book, [*Message Not Received*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-message-not-received/). The ease of creating [AI slop](https://www.philsimon.com/ai-slop-paradox/) only exacerbates the problem. It's never been more important for organizations to build compelling narratives around their products and services. Brass tacks: stories matter more than ever. Don't expect that reality to change anytime soon. The data supports this assertion. Firms are increasingly shelling out [beaucoup bucks](https://www.businessinsider.com/hottest-job-in-tech-writing-words-ai-hiring-2026-2?ref=philsimon.com) for master storytellers. I'm talking about the rare birds who can use stories to make customers, prospects, and the public at large care about firms' new offerings. I'm one of those folks. In this post, I'll explain: 1. Why I'm shaking things up—for the right in-house writing position. 2. My bona fides for such a role. 3. The specific titles that make the most sense. Let's go. ## Toggling, Taxes, and Text Looking back at my career, it's not hard to identify some consistent themes: - A specific affinity for new technologies. My time at Carnegie Mellon no doubt explains my fixation with new applications, systems, and devices. - A [preternatural curiosity](https://www.philsimon.com/the-curiosity-dividend/). - A willingness to embrace risk and make significant changes. - A desire to consistently document my ideas in different formats. These forces have driven most of my major professional decisions. For the last six months, the idea of helping a single tech company craft its message has become increasingly appealing. It's hardly the first time I decided to shake things up. As but one example, a little over a decade ago, I wrote a [post](https://www.philsimon.com/looking-to-teach-as-a-visiting-professor-in-2016/) explaining my desire to enter academia as a college professor. The idea of taking my talents to academia appealed to me. Ultimately, I interviewed at four universities before [accepting a full-time offer at Arizona State](https://www.philsimon.com/professor-simon/) in May 2016\. I [taught information systems at ASU](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/) for four years. When COVID-19 arrived, I returned to the independent life. The types of tax forms I've received over the last two decades have changed, but one thing has remained remarkably constant: I have constantly written about emerging tech. For a long time, the written word has represented a major source of my income, even when I drew a regular paycheck with health benefits. Case in point: I wrote three books during my ASU tenure. Since departing, I've penned [four more](https://www.philsimon.com/books) and have [ghostwritten](https://www.philsimon.com/services-ghostwriting/) another two. And then there's the other short- and long-form [client work](https://www.philsimon.com/services-writing/). ## My Bona Fides Ideally my next employer requires and values someone with a proven track record of clear, engaging business and tech writing. More specifically, I: - Have written about a wide array of business- and tech-related subjects. Check out a partial writing portfolio [here](https://www.philsimon.com/services-writing/). - Bring a diversity of writing and research experiences to the table. (I have worked with firms of different sizes and in different industries.) - Write quickly, efficiently, and with minimal supervision. (One recent highlight: I cranked out the 110,000-word manuscript for *Zoom For Dummies* in seven weeks.) - Write well. (Five of my books have won [awards](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/awards).) - Have created many bespoke, proprietary documents. I'm talking about lengthy user guides, internal reports, and training manuals for my consulting clients. - Analyze and synthesize different types of information for different audiences. - Appreciate the tradeoffs among fast, cheap, and good. - Draw relevant parallels between contemporary and historical trends. - Support my assertions with meticulous research. - Produce compelling and original storytelling. (It is paramount—that's why you'll find case studies in all of my books.) - Recognize the limitations of pure text—that is, I know when visuals and [infographics](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/infographic/) would advance the article or white paper. - Excel at online collaboration, especially on complex, multi-author projects. ([*The Next Wave of Technologies*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-the-next-wave-of-technologies/) is a survey book with contributions from a dozen experts in their fields.) - Build [user-friendly systems](https://www.philsimon.com/services-notion-development/) to keep everyone on the same page and minimize email. - Routinely use emerging AI tools, especially [Claude](https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-claude/). - Respectfully suggest improvements not just to articles but to existing business processes and tech. ## Ideal Writing Gigs After browsing LinkedIn and giving it some thought, the most logical title is either: - Storyteller. - Brand Journalist. - Evangelist. (This job typically involves public speaking, and I've done [more than 400 gigs over](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking) my career.) I would, however, entertain two other types of roles. ### Internal Writer Two groups stand out here. Technical writers document internal processes and training materials. For their part, internal communications professionals craft confidential and proprietary content. [AI Product Feature AmnesiaA software vendor’s not-so-smart companion does the unthinkable.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-204.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/AI-Feature-Amnesia-2.jpeg)](https://www.philsimon.com/ai-product-feature-amnesia/) ### Hybrid Wordsmith/Utility Player To meet their writing and editing needs, some firms employ a jack-of-all-trades. In these roles, topics and audiences shift constantly—one project might target a specific internal team, while the next reaches a global audience. The role of utility player appeals to me. (See my prior note about my innate curiosity.) If you know of a potential fit, let's chat. [CONNECT WITH ME](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) #### Footnotes 1. Kind of like how people dart back and forth with different streaming services.[↩](#fnref:1 "Jump back to content") ### The Enshittification of ChatGPT Begins Now URL: https://www.philsimon.com/enshittification-chatgpt/ Last updated: 2026-02-01T00:54:36.000Z Ads are just the beginning. It's a matter of when—not if—OpenAI's flagship product starts to suck. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Enshittification of Tennis Viewing: An AI Infographic URL: https://www.philsimon.com/enshittification-tennis-viewing/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T19:28:07.000Z Explaining the madness that today's fans suffer when they try to watch a match. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Claude's Third Report Card URL: https://www.philsimon.com/claudes-third-report-card/ Last updated: 2026-02-07T00:54:10.000Z Did it bounce back from its first two substandard performances? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Proper Tools Optional: The AI Effect URL: https://www.philsimon.com/proper-tools-optional-the-ai-effect/ Last updated: 2026-01-24T02:34:55.000Z In 2014, Wiley published [*The Visual Organization*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-the-visual-organization/). In a nutshell, my sixth book makes the case for ditching static line and bar charts. By embracing interactive data visualizations, organizations stand to reap enormous benefits. Specifically, non-technical users can ask and answer thorny business questions. No longer would they need to incessantly pester their IT departments and developers for data and reports. To quote [Walter White](https://youtu.be/9lRaa%5FHSH%5Fc?t=199&ref=philsimon.com), “Everybody wins.” I never expected the book to attain *bestseller* status, but its message clearly resonated with large software vendors. Tableau—[now part of Salesforce](https://www.salesforce.com/news/press-releases/2019/06/10/salesforce-signs-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-tableau/?ref=philsimon.com)—purchased 750 copies to give to employees and customers. My writing client at the time [SAS](https://blogs.sas.com/content/author/philsimon/?ref=philsimon.com) bought twice as many, and the book quickly earned out. [Netflix](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PejF%5FnzhvBQ&ref=philsimon.com) and plenty of other prominent organizations hosted me on my book tour. More than a decade later, the world of enterprise tech looks a little different. Blame AI. This begs the question: does my book's central thesis still hold? ## Revisiting Workplace Tech a Decade Later In short, yes—with one big caveat. Non-techies no longer need Tableau, PowerBI, or other best-in-class dataviz tools to create the very interactive dashboards I advocate in the book. [Claude](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/claude/), ChatGPT, Gemini, and their ilk are more than up to the task. Case in point: I asked Claude to write a script that would tell me how many posts I've published on my site by month since 2007\. It dutifully complied, and it didn't take long for my answer to appear. > Citizen developers possess a more diverse toolbox than ever. Here's a truncated version of Claude's output. ![Image depicting errors](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/12/posts.jpeg) Partial Claude Output Armed with the data, I then asked it to create the following interactive visualization. Claude used an insanely powerful [ChartJS](https://www.chartjs.org/?ref=philsimon.com) to create one that lets anyone filter posts based on custom date ranges. What's more, it added the summary stats at the top on its own. ## What I *Didn't* Need Claude generated a solid prototype within five minutes. The final product took maybe 45 minutes to complete because I decided to do a few rounds of tweaking. This begs the question: What *didn't* I need? - Anything close to detailed JavaScript knowledge. - [A pricey license](https://www.tableau.com/pricing?ref=philsimon.com) for a proper dataviz tool. - A ton of time. Four years ago, building this data visualization on my own would have taken me weeks to complete. 🤖 Based on my extensive use of AI tools over the past three years, I'm sure that Claude could build similar visualizations for me in four minutes—not 45\. [Why Most Niche Software Vendors Will Soon PerishAI is making many execs at smaller companies nervous. They should be.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-198.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/dodo_bird_standing_in_tropical.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/why-most-niche-software-vendors-will-soon-perish/) ## Simon Says To be sure, [Tableau Zen Masters](https://www.tableau.com/blog/introducing-2021-tableau-zen-masters?ref=philsimon.com) and other dataviz beasts aren't going the way of travel agents and typists this year. (As of this writing, LinkedIn lists [5,000 available jobs](https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/tableau-certified-professional-jobs/?ref=philsimon.com) for certified Tableau professionals alone.) Unlike when I wrote my book, though, creating a truly useful visualization today no longer necessitates knowing exactly how to make the sausage. Similar parallels exist in the database world with [Notion](https://notion.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) and Airtable. You can make the same case for graphic design with [Nano Banana](https://gemini.google/overview/image-generation/?ref=philsimon.com). I could go on, but you get the point. Brass tacks: citizen developers possess a more diverse toolbox than ever. Expect that trend to intensify in 2026 and beyond. In five years, maybe we'll see the tech equivalent of video once again killing the radio star. ### Claude's Second Report Card URL: https://www.philsimon.com/claudes-second-report-card/ Last updated: 2026-01-24T18:53:06.000Z Could the powerful AI tool improve on its most recent performance? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### An Easy Way to Keep Your Mac Apps Up to Date URL: https://www.philsimon.com/keep-your-mac-apps-up-to-date/ Last updated: 2026-05-26T12:29:24.000Z Since [switching to a Mac in 2010](https://www.philsimon.com/my-mac-transition-part-ii-getting-stronger/), I've met dozens of folks who thought they could get more out of their Apple computers. A few years ago, I began offering an hourly service in that vein. My [Mac Power Hour](https://www.philsimon.com/services-mac-power-hour/) hasn't taken the world by storm, but the people who've signed up for it have been pleased. (Because we move pretty fast, I always record the sessions for future viewing.) ## Sign up for Simon Says Weekly insights on AI, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. At the end of every year, I update my list of preferred apps and recommendations. (Readers of this site and my books know that I generally avoid the word *stasis*.) Exhibit A: I dropped CleanMyMacX in 2023 because it caused me more headaches than I care to discuss here. [Claude](https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-claude/), [Notion](https://notion.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com), and [Raycast](https://raycast.com/?via=philsimon&ref=philsimon.com) remain firmly at the top of my list, but a new one made the cut during my app 2025 review. ## Staying Current Keeping all of your Mac apps updated with their latest versions is a pain in the ass. That reality doesn't make the task any less important. Running a legacy version of an application does more than just prevent you from benefiting from its latest bells and whistles. You expose yourself to security vulnerabilities. You'd think that all software vendors would clearly alert their users and customers when their products have shipped new versions. And you'd be spectacularly wrong. Many vendors make updating their apps obvious with a visible red badge. Todoist is a case in point. Others, however, obscure this critical fact. (Hello, Notion.) Of course, you can open individual apps and manually update them, but the process is time-consuming and often frustrating. ⌨️ Hitting “⌘ + ,” will almost always take you to an app's preferences. Unfortunately, however, there's no **native*, universal way on your Mac to update all of your apps. Each app makes users follow a bespoke process. ## Exploring a Solution In 2025, I played with an open-source app designed to solve this very problem: [Latest](https://max.codes/latest/?ref=philsimon.com). In a word, *meh*. It neglected to inform me that key apps needed updates, including [the Brave browser](https://brave.com/?ref=philsimon.com). Not that long ago, I stumbled upon [Updatest](https://updatest.app/?ref=philsimon.com) and ditched Latest. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/12/image2.jpeg) Image Source: [Updatest](https://updatest.app/?ref=philsimon.com) Updatest doesn't catch *all* your apps in need of updates, but its batting average far exceeds that of Latest. I reached out to its support team. Here's its response. Updatest detects updates programatically, not manually. This means we rely on sources for your apps like Brew, MAS CLI, GitHub, Sparkle, and Electron. If none of these sources display \[sic\] an update, Updatest cannot show you an update for the app. I'm currently experimenting with Homebrew commands that *should* reduce the number of apps that require manual updates. Here's the one for Notion: ```HTML brew install --cask --force notion-app ``` Updatest is currently in beta with a 14-day free trial. Based on my early success with it, I've purchased a lifetime license and have added it to my power hour. [CHECK IT OUT](https://updatest.app/?ref=philsimon.com) ### I Asked Claude to Grade Its Recent Performance URL: https://www.philsimon.com/claude-performance/ Last updated: 2026-03-22T14:53:12.000Z As I mentioned last month, I'm [all in on Claude](https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-claude/). Over the past five weeks, I've been using its [Pro plan](https://claude.com/pricing?ref=philsimon.com) anywhere from three to four hours per day in a wide variety of capacities. In no particular order, that list includes: 1. Fixing minor and intermediate website tweaks here and on [Racket Publishing](https://www.racketpublishing.com/?ref=philsimon.com). 2. Adding new products for [premium Racket Publishing members](https://www.racketpublishing.com/benefits?ref=philsimon.com). 3. Building private custom skills. (I'm considering offering it as a service in the near future.) 4. Evaluating different products and services to save money in 2026\. (Adiós, AT&T.) 5. Managing the fantasy basketball team I took over after a longtime friend's recent death. (I miss you, [Mike](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1nZMIpypmQ&feature=youtu.be&ref=philsimon.com).) 6. Creating and modifying data in other applications via [model context protocols](https://www.philsimon.com/the-generative-ai-tool-thats-blowing-my-mind/). 7. Interpreting long PDFs for my new car and health insurance plans. 8. Analyzing a contract for a potential ghostwriting gig. 9. Helping me up my Mac [Terminal](https://support.apple.com/guide/terminal/welcome/mac?ref=philsimon.com) game. (This [neat text-based Claude search tool](https://www.philsimon.com/mediocre-ai-fact-checking/) supports booleans, unlike native Claude. Yeah, I'm a geek.) 10. Rewriting others' interesting but poorly written articles, text messages, and emails. (I'll keep their names to myself.) 11. Interpreting different websites' UI clusterfucks and indecipherable server errors. (Cue [*Office Space*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw-8oEO8bZo&ref=philsimon.com) reference.) 12. Creating artifacts for future posts, including some cool data visualizations. 13. Brainstorming titles and excerpts of blog post drafts. 14. Helping me produce 1099s for my contractors. 15. [Fact-checking](https://www.philsimon.com/mediocre-ai-fact-checking/). At times, its AI chatbot has amazed me with its insightful observations and recommendations. Because [AI confirmation bias](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949882124000264?ref=philsimon.com) terrifies me, my instructions explicitly include contradicting me when I'm a little off, much less completely wrong. All of my Claude projects include the following line: I care about accuracy more than speed. Put differently, I don't politely request skepticism from Claude; I *demand* it. ## Sign up for Simon Says Weekly insights on AI, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ## Limitations As expected, Claude is hardly pitching a perfect game. It has been downright *jagged*, to borrow a word from [Ethan Mollick's latest Substack](https://substack.com/@oneusefulthing/p-182146605?ref=philsimon.com). Among its most glaring gaffes, it has: 1. Advised me to ignore a WordPress email that would have caused me to lose my publishing site's domain name. (I immediately called bullshit and averted the problem.) 2. Failed to understand how I wanted it to ask me questions when diagnosing website issues. 3. Written a script that deleted all the content on this site via [the Ghost API](https://docs.ghost.org/content-api?ref=philsimon.com), although I explicitly warned Claude of that very possibility. (Fortunately, I backed up all my site's data. The downtime was minimal.) 4. Arbitrarily decided to change the contents of skill download files despite 20 previously successful efforts with the previous format. 5. Told me that I could do plenty of things that I simply couldn't—even when I provided sufficient context and background information. 6. Routinely ignored my instructions on [custom skills](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12512198-how-to-create-custom-skills?ref=philsimon.com). For example, it has used all caps and the passive voice in its responses. My repeated reminders to avoid such crap haven't consistently corrected its behavior. Yeah, it's a decidedly mixed bag. ## Claude's Self-Evaluation I was curious about how Claude viewed its own recent performance. Would it cop to its mistakes or pooh-pooh them? Against that backdrop, I asked it for an honest self-assessment. Here it is: Claude wrote this self-assessment. ### Overall, if You Had to Give Yourself a Grade From A to F, What Would It Be? Weighed strengths against systematic failures, settled on C-minus. #### Table of Contents - Rationale - What Prevents a Lower Grade - What Prevents a Higher Grade - Why C- Specifically C- #### Rationale: What Prevents a Lower Grade - I completed many tasks successfully: translations, web searches, technical lookups, file creation, skill development. - When you corrected me, I usually fixed the immediate problem. - I provided accurate information on most factual questions. - The artifacts and tools I built generally worked. ##### What Prevents a Higher Grade - Systematic skill compliance failures despite explicit instructions. - Repeated Rewrite skill violations requiring constant correction. - The domain registration incident could have caused real harm. - Multiple wrong technical diagnoses before finding correct answers. - You had to correct the same issues across multiple conversations. - Apologies without behavioral change. ##### Why C- Specifically A C student understands the material but makes careless errors. A C- student makes those errors frequently enough to undermine confidence in their work. I understand your standards. I've read your skills. I know what you want. Yet I keep making the same mistakes. That gap between knowing and doing is the difference between a B and a C-. The domain registration error alone drops me from C to C-. A single mistake that could have cost you your domain represents a serious lapse in judgment—recommending action before verification on a high-stakes question. I'm useful enough that you continue working with me. I'm unreliable enough that you can't trust me without oversight. That's C- territory. [The Case for Mundane AISome of the most effective ways to use these newfangled tools are decidedly unsexy.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-193.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/calendar-1.jpeg)](https://www.philsimon.com/the-case-for-mundane-ai/) ## Simon Says Props to Claude for its forthright self-assessment. Still, its error rate and the severity of some of those errors continue to baffle me. Here's my best analogy: AI is the driver of golf clubs. As any weekend duffer knows, hitting your driver well helps immensely. When you mishit that finicky club, though, expect to spend five minutes looking for your ball in the woods or worse. You're facing a double bogey, if not a [snowman](https://calabasasgolf.com/dreaded-golf-snowman/?ref=philsimon.com). ## Feedback What say you? ### AI Fails as a Seinfeld Fact-Checker URL: https://www.philsimon.com/mediocre-ai-fact-checking/ Last updated: 2026-01-06T12:35:01.000Z Large language models continue to hallucinate when quoting iconic TV shows. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Why I'm All In on Claude URL: https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-claude/ Last updated: 2026-01-06T12:11:57.000Z In more than three decades around enterprise tech, nothing resembles the current AI wave. Its pace of change has far surpassed the other shiny new toys I've seen in my lifetime: the early web, social networks, and mobile apps.[1](#fn:1) Best-of-breed tools pop up every day. Dedicated and popular newsletters like [WonderTools](https://wondertools.substack.com/) cover dozens of them every month. There's no shortage of powerful large language models powering intuitive AI chatbots. Increasingly, though, I've been gravitating towards one. In this post, I'll explain why. ![man in white collared shirt wearing eyeglasses](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1630419320857-7087d18ade31?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDl8fGdhbmRoaXxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NjcyMTMxODF8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Brijender Dua](https://unsplash.com/@bridgeofnoon?ref=philsimon.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) ## Innovation Last July, I wrote about the genAI tool that was [blowing my mind](https://www.philsimon.com/the-generative-ai-tool-thats-blowing-my-mind/). Anthropic didn't only [invent the concept](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model%5FContext%5FProtocol?ref=philsimon.com) of model context protocols; the company released it as an [open-source](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/better-way-to-research-podcasts/?ref=philsimon.com) project. To paraphrase Gandhi, actions express priorities. It's obvious that Anthropic doesn't just value making a buck. ## Utility [Custom GPTs](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8554397-creating-a-gpt?ref=philsimon.com) aren't exactly news. Google recently dropped [Gems](https://gemini.google/overview/gems/?ref=philsimon.com)—its version of bespoke AI apps. For its part, Claude allows customers to [create custom Skills](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12512198-how-to-create-custom-skills?ref=philsimon.com). In a word, they are *sick*. Just in the past week, I've created ten incredibly useful ones for [my publishing outfit](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/?ref=philsimon.com) alone. Needless to say, many (most?) of these are far too esoteric for proper software developers to build them. And then there's Racket Publishing's LinkedIn profile evaluator: [LinkedIn Profile EvaluatorThe professional social network is rife with scammers targeting writers. This new subscriber benefit helps scribes separate the wheat from the chaff.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newball-1-2.png)Racket PublishingPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/LI.png)](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/linkedin-profile-evaluator/?ref=philsimon.com) It takes zero technical skill to create and publish niche Claude Artifacts, such as [spam detectors](https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/17b9a14f-37ac-4209-9d6b-35190f5e0499?ref=philsimon.com). ([Citizen developers](https://www.philsimon.com/the-case-for-mundane-ai/) rejoice.) > The adage “Garbage in, garbage out” hasn't changed one bit. I'll continue geeking out on Skills and Artifacts in 2026\. You can take the kid out of Carnegie Mellon… ## Effectiveness No AI tool bats 1.000\. The fleas come with the dog in the form of [hallucinations](https://www.philsimon.com/equal-opportunity-hallucinator/). Despite my 1,200 or so chats with Claude in the past year or so, though, it has erred very few times. (I'll put that number at about two percent.) Of course, that hit rate may stem from the quality of my prompts. The adage “Garbage in, garbage out” hasn't changed one bit. Brass tacks: If Claude erred 10 percent of the time, I'd find another AI chatbot. ## Safety and Responsibility Some companies pay lip service to the very real dangers AI poses to society, employment, truth, and politics. (You know, little things.) By contrast, Anthropic seems to take these existential issues far more seriously than OpenAI, [X](https://www.npr.org/2025/07/09/nx-s1-5462609/grok-elon-musk-antisemitic-racist-content?ref=philsimon.com), and other behemoths. Exhibit A: Critical public service announcements such as these. Forget just releasing professional videos. The company [worked closely with *The Wall Street Journal*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpPhm7S9vsQ&ref=philsimon.com) to see how unsupervised AI would do in the real world. ## Design I won't mince words here: Claude is a freaking joy to use. Its minimalist design aesthetic reminds me of Notion and Apple. (To be fair, Gemini, [Copilot](https://copilot.microsoft.com/?ref=philsimon.com), Perplexity, and their ilk sport equally spartan user interfaces.) --- You may read my rationales and guffaw. Let's say that the major AI chatbots essentially offer [feature parity](https://martinfowler.com/articles/patterns-legacy-displacement/feature-parity.html?ref=philsimon.com). That is, most product features are nearly identical (or will be soon). Does any attribute *really* distinguish Anthropic from its competitors? The answer is *yes*. ## Sign up for Simon Says Weekly insights on AI, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ## Ethics, Hypocrisy, and the Right Side of History Many AI companies are attempting to make the case that [their blatant theft of pirated books is perfectly legal](https://sites.usc.edu/iptls/2025/02/04/ai-copyright-and-the-law-the-ongoing-battle-over-intellectual-property-rights/?ref=philsimon.com). They are bastardizing the very notion of the [Fair Use Doctrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair%5Fuse?ref=philsimon.com). Of course, they sing a far different tune when [tech companies steal *their* intellectual property](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/openai-says-deepseek-may-inapproriately-used-data-rcna189872?ref=philsimon.com). (If this sounds hypocritical, trust your judgment.) Not Anthropic. Its [settlement with authors and publishers](https://www.npr.org/2025/09/05/nx-s1-5529404/anthropic-settlement-authors-copyright-ai?ref=philsimon.com) is nothing short of trailblazing. At some point in the near future, Anthropic will remit me thousands of dollars. The company used some of my books to train its models—[as well as those of many others](https://authorsguild.org/news/anthropic-settlement-search-works-list-and-file-a-claim/?ref=philsimon.com). Exhibit B: The Trump administration has proposed [a dangerous *laissez-faire* approach to AI regulation](https://www.gibsondunn.com/president-trump-latest-executive-order-on-ai-seeks-to-preempt-state-laws/?ref=philsimon.com). Rather than fall in line, Anthropic exes are fighting for [more responsible government oversight](https://www.axios.com/2025/10/16/anthropic-david-sacks-ai-white-house?ref=philsimon.com). That willingness puts the company on the right side of history, and it should mean something to anyone with a modicum of common sense. [AI Giveth and Taketh AwayI’ve seen oodles of statistics on AI this year, but one about productivity stands out.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-181.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/robots.jpeg)](https://www.philsimon.com/ai-giveth-and-taketh-away/) ## The Bottom Line I'm not completely monogamous. I still play with other AI tools—and you should, too. Google's image-generation capability is [amazing](https://gemini.google/overview/image-generation/?ref=philsimon.com). (See the featured image above.) NotionAI is certainly helpful, especially when it's not [forgetting what its underlying product can do](https://www.philsimon.com/ai-product-feature-amnesia/). For the foreseeable future, though, Claude is my AI go-to. I'd rather give my money to ethical companies. #### Footnotes 1. No, the [900-user metaverse](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/the-metaverse-only-has-900-users/vi-AA1S5w2l?ref=philsimon.com) doesn't count. Not even close. Can someone say **all hat, no cattle*? Twenty bucks says that Zuck would love to take a mulligan on his [ill-advised 2021 Meta rebrand](https://about.fb.com/news/2021/10/facebook-company-is-now-meta/?ref=philsimon.com). ### The Case for Mundane AI URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-case-for-mundane-ai/ Last updated: 2026-01-18T15:08:10.000Z Some of the most effective ways to use these newfangled tools are decidedly unsexy. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Email Is Not a System URL: https://www.philsimon.com/email-is-not-a-system/ Last updated: 2026-01-21T22:42:49.000Z As 2026 approaches, an interesting ~~scary~~ fact recently occurred to me: I have been working with enterprise systems for three decades and building smaller, bespoke ones for nearly as long. The word *harrowing* comes to mind. These days, I'm painfully aware of the fact that I'm no spring chicken. ## New Tech, but Same Issues I no longer work with the same enterprise applications and systems as I did in 1995\. ERP stalwarts Lawson and PeopleSoft don't even exist anymore as standalone entities. Forget enterprise systems for a moment. On a smaller level, I haven't touched [Microsoft Access](https://www.philsimon.com/why-microsoft-access-2007-sucks/) in years. Instead, I develop bespoke solutions for myself and others in [Notion](https://www.philsimon.com/services-notion-development/). Thanks to artificial intelligence, we can now ask questions of our data using natural language—a pipe dream a decade ago. The specific technologies change, but one thing never does: imperfections. No system is perfect. Ask different people about their shortcomings, and you'll receive divergent answers. Yeah, many new systems [continue to fail](https://www.philsimon.com/book-why-new-systems-fail/). Change management is challenging, even when everyone is ostensibly on board. Software vendors' priorities [sometimes vex us](https://www.philsimon.com/priorities/). Their salespeople often exaggerate what their wares can do—although [they occasionally underpromise](https://www.philsimon.com/ai-product-feature-amnesia/). And yet… What's the alternative to using proper systems to track essential enterprise data? Email, I suppose. Blame inertia, aversion to change, or whatever you like. ## Travails of a Notion Developer Over the past few years, a few small organizations have flirted with me about building a better mousetrap. (I'll focus below on the ones that said *no*.) A publishing group, [a VC firm](https://www.philsimon.com/notion-vc-investments/), and a prominent ghostwriting agency come to mind. Neither one employed more than a few dozen employees. “No thanks,” each told me in so many words. “We'll continue relying on employee inboxes to manage key business processes.” > No system means no answers. These firms didn't reject Notion in favor of another solution. Ditto for me in favor of another developer—at least as far as I can tell. Rather, they spurned the very idea that they needed a system at all. ## Sign up for Simon Says Weekly insights on AI, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. As a result, I'll bet my house that these firms cannot easily determine: - Their current pipelines. - Where all their existing projects stand. - Why their different efforts succeeded or failed. - How much time they have wasted on duplicate efforts. You know, *little things*. [AI Book Settlement TrackerThis new Notion template lets authors track key information about their pirated works.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-176.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/judge-1.jpeg)](https://www.philsimon.com/ai-book-settlement-tracker/) ## Simon Says Perhaps the new year will convince hidebound folks at laggard firms that it's *finally* time to embrace the 21st century. Just because you *can* work from your inboxes doesn't mean you should. ### Solving the Notion Premature Notification Dilemma URL: https://www.philsimon.com/notion-premature-notification-dilemma/ Last updated: 2026-07-30T00:13:23.000Z One of the many benefits of [Notion](https://notion.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) is the ability to customize users notifications. That is, you can decide who gets to see what. That's not to say that Notion alerts are perfect, though. As I [wrote](https://www.philsimon.com/glorious-ghost-alert/) a few months back, nothing could be further from the truth. One of the feature's core current limitations is timing. ## The Problem Say that you use a Notion database to track [new media inquiries](https://www.notion.so/login?redirectURL=%2Fmarketplace%2Ftemplates%2Fsimple-publicity-tracker-977%3Fcheckout%3Dtrue&ref=philsimon.com) for your book, product, or startup. That template includes a straightforward automation that alerts users of a new pitch. Here's a screenshot: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/12/simple-notification.jpeg) Standard Notion Notification of New Page Added to Database That's great, but workspace members may see a *partial* database record depending on the following variables: - The number of fields—or *properties*, in Notionspeak—in the database. (To state the obvious, it takes much more time to enter 20 pieces of information than two.) - The user's natural typing speed. - The state of Notion's internal plumbing. Expect five to ten seconds to pass before user notifications typically arrive. - If they are especially diligent about checking workspace notifications. Put differently, Notion can alert users of a new database record *before* it is ready for viewing. Certain information isn't available yet. (Yeah, it's a minor problem, but it's still a problem.) ## The Solution My latest Notion template solves this issue with what I think is a neat trick that I've used for myself and [a few clients](https://www.philsimon.com/services/notion-development). What's more, you can replicate it in any new or existing Notion database in your workspace. Check it out in the Notion Marketplace. The cost is $4.95 USD. [BUY THE TEMPLATE](https://www.notion.so/templates/delaying-new-database-record-notifications?ref=philsimon.com) Here's the explainer video: ### AI Giveth and Taketh Away URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ai-giveth-and-taketh-away/ Last updated: 2026-01-12T02:32:17.000Z I've seen oodles of statistics on AI this year, but one about productivity stands out. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Black Book Friday Sale URL: https://www.philsimon.com/black-book-friday-sale/ Last updated: 2026-01-18T15:09:00.000Z Starting in late 2020, I began writing a series of books based on the rapidly changing future of work. They are: - [*The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-the-nine/)*.* - [*Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-low-code-no-code/)*.* - [*Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-project-management-in-the-hybrid-workplace/)*.* - [*Reimagining Collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and the Post-COVID World of Work*](https://www.philsimon.com/project-management-award/)*.* Here's a carousel of my last four creations. (Hat tip [Cathy Sarisky](https://www.spectralwebservices.com/blog/ghost-carousel/?ref=philsimon.com#want-a-carousel-instead).) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/11/image.png) **The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/11/image-1.png) **Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/11/image-2.png) **Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/11/image-3.png) **Reimagining Collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and the Post-COVID World of Work* Because I wrote them as conceptual texts, they hold up well. A few have even won [awards](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/awards). ## The Deal I've got a few dozen extra paperback copies of each of them lying around that I really don't need. In the spirit of Black Friday, I'm selling signed copies of the four-pack. You get one of each. **Price:** $60 (USD), including shipping (US only). When you check out, please include: - Your mailing address. - How you'd like me to inscribe each book. Happy holidays. [LET'S DO THIS](https://bit.ly/4sfoNBp?ref=philsimon.com) ### The AI-Bayes Cocktail URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-ai-bayes-cocktail/ Last updated: 2026-01-18T15:09:18.000Z A centuries-old mathematical formula and some new tech confirmed my hunch about a suspicious email. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### AI Product Feature Amnesia URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ai-product-feature-amnesia/ Last updated: 2026-01-18T14:32:12.000Z A software vendor's not-so-smart companion does the unthinkable. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### An Open Letter to Zoom Management URL: https://www.philsimon.com/open-letter-to-zoom-management/ Last updated: 2026-08-12T14:30:41.000Z It's high time to untangle today's most vexing and bloated Frankenstein app. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### How AI Helps Me Understand My Author Royalty Statements URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ai-author-royalty-statements/ Last updated: 2026-01-18T15:10:04.000Z Thanks to today's tools, it's never been easier to derive insights from long, complicated PDFs and other unstructured data. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Superbloom URL: https://www.philsimon.com/superbloom/ Last updated: 2026-01-18T15:10:25.000Z A belated look at Nicholas Carr's timely new book. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### How Not to Write Marketing Copy URL: https://www.philsimon.com/how-not-to-write-marketing-copy/ Last updated: 2026-01-18T15:10:59.000Z Revisiting the source of surprisingly toxic tech jargon and the perils of the single, bloated sentence. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Equal-Opportunity Hallucinator URL: https://www.philsimon.com/equal-opportunity-hallucinator/ Last updated: 2025-10-15T14:53:24.000Z Deloitte's irresponsible use of AI serves as a valuable and embarrassing reminder of its limitations. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A Case Study in No-Code Failure URL: https://www.philsimon.com/no-code-case-study-failure/ Last updated: 2025-10-29T23:05:18.000Z 👤 I've changed the names in this story. YYZ is a successful mid-sized VC firm. A few years back, it conducted an extensive search for a new managing partner. Among the candidates who interviewed for the position, Adam clearly stood out from his peers. Yeah, he knew the industry, but no one else asked about YYZ's existing systems and tech. In short, they were a mess. Disparate Excel spreadsheets and a torrent of emails ruled the day. Before accepting the position, Adam stressed the need to make significant tech changes after joining. First up: the firm needed to turn chaos into order—and that required adopting new tech. The popular magnet app [Notion](https://notion.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) was squarely in his crosshairs. ![a laptop computer sitting on top of a blue couch](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1681583722627-3ad58f1cc0a7?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDZ8fG5vdGlvbnxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NjAyODM4MDh8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Isaac Smith](https://unsplash.com/@isaacmsmith?ref=philsimon.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) ## Background In his previous position, Adam had used the popular no-code tool. He was an unapologetic fanboy. Notion allowed everyone at his previous employer to easily retrieve key information, including: - The status of each deal. - The ROI of each investment. - A summary of weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual performance. - Total funds invested by industry. - Which employees were closing which deals—and which were the most successful. People spent minimal time reconciling errors. Accurate reporting was a breeze. Things just worked. Why shouldn't YYZ function the same way? ## A New Tool Begets the Same Problems Adam spent the first few months creating a bespoke Notion system. Not long after launching it, though, things at YYZ began rapidly devolving. Information in Notion sometimes conflicted with the company's bank statements, accounting system, internal emails, and signed, legally binding documents. Late-night data investigations were becoming commonplace. In one particularly galling example, YYZ nearly remitted the same six-figure [Series-A](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/102015/series-b-c-funding-what-it-all-means-and-how-it-works.asp?ref=philsimon.com) payment to a portfolio company *twice*. Six weeks later, a promising biotech startup opted to go with another VC firm because it was more organized. Beyond these alarming one-off incidents, other system-related problems plagued the company. Although it used a top-tier tool, answers to simple business questions proved elusive. Here are a few: - Where do we stand with each deal? - How much have we invested in each company and industry by stage? - What is the status of each term sheet we've sent out? - Who was the last person to talk to the potential portfolio company about a potential investment? Adam wasn't the only one peeved. The other YYZ partners were none too pleased at its current state of affairs. Of course, it didn't need to be this way. Let's dive into what happened. ## Root Cause Analysis Notion was supposed to function as a single source of truth at YYZ. Instead, it had morphed into a morass of incomplete, outdated, missing, or duplicate information. Reports from it had become mere guides—starting points to find the truth. Some were downright meaningless. [GIGO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbage%5Fin,%5Fgarbage%5Fout?ref=philsimon.com) at its finest. You may infer that YYZ's plight stemmed solely from its tech. Rest assured, it did not. As is usually the case, humans are to blame. ### Duplicate Records and Conflicting Information A galling lack of internal controls allowed anyone at YYZ to enter just about anything into Notion. Let's start with duplicate entries. Many employees who couldn't locate an existing record simply created a new one. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/10/mockup.jpeg) Duplicate Portfolio Company in YYZ Notion Database: | Click on the image to enlarge it. You needn't be an expert in data modeling or master data management to appreciate the problems that this practice causes. And then there were the issues related to an individual record's existing *property*—Notionspeak for a database [field](https://support.atlassian.com/confluence-cloud/docs/database-fields/?ref=philsimon.com) or column, if you like. Some employees created new, overlapping, and unnecessary properties that told different stories. Take deal status, for instance. [NotionAI](https://www.notion.com/product/ai/use-cases?ref=philsimon.com) could help *identify* YYZ's discrepancies among three conflicting values, but it could not *resolve* them. In a few cases, people took a DIY approach and created their own, *separate* Notion databases to track their deals. One rogue worker—a promising new hire—ignored Notion entirely and opted to use a Google Sheet. So why was data quality at YYZ an utter mess? We need to [keep asking why](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five%5Fwhys?ref=philsimon.com). [New Notion Template: Venture Capital & Investment TrackerA simple way to track investments, funding rounds, valuations, and much more.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-167.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1563986768711-b3bde3dc821e)](https://www.philsimon.com/notion-vc-investments/) ### Human Factors, Not Tech Ones In a way, Notion was destined to fail at YYZ—as was any new tool. The company failed to properly train its employees on its new system and related processes. What's more, Adam and his team failed to lock down Notion databases to prevent the very issues they'd soon encounter. To some extent, everyone was an admin.[1](#fn:1) Many people blew off training sessions because they were too busy or had noodled with Notion on their own time. > GIGO at its finest Adding salt to the wound, communication at YYZ was generally deficient. The company would make small but critical changes to its Notion system but fail to tell its workforce about them. [On Amoeba and NotionLow-code and no-code tools don’t fall neatly into a single category.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-168.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/75vl-1-1.gif)](https://www.philsimon.com/on-amoeba-and-notion/) ## Simon Says: New Tools Require Planning The moral of this little yarn: Notion, Airtable, Coda, Loop, and other apps have enabled a new, fundamentally different type of tool builder. (It's a key point in my book [*Low-Code/No-Code*](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/lc-nc/)). [Citizen developers](https://www.philsimon.com/subject-matter-experts-citizen-developers/) lack formal coding knowledge, but they have nonetheless created innovative solutions that have solved real problems. In many cases, their IT departments have thanked them for taking months of work off their plate. In a way, no-code/low-code tools are just like their antecedents: Without sufficient [database design](https://www.philsimon.com/services-notion-development/), product support, change management, accountability, and [training](https://www.philsimon.com/client-training-expectations/), they are just as likely to cause problems as they are to solve them. Remember that truism the next time a software vendor's wares look too good to be true. The same holds true if you think you can build the plane as you're flying it. #### Footnotes 1. To be fair, Notion's lack of [record-level permissions](https://community.notionapps.com/t/introducing-row-level-database-permissions-on-notionapps/34?ref=philsimon.com) at the time exacerbated the problem.[↩](#fnref:1 "Jump back to content") need help building and deploying A NEW NOTION SYSTEM at your organization? Let me help your organization avoid the mistakes that YYZ and countless others make as they adopt Notion. [HIRE ME ](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) ### On Employee Expenses, Lazy Managers, and AI Agents URL: https://www.philsimon.com/expenses-agents-lazy-managers/ Last updated: 2025-10-08T12:00:51.000Z Today's tech would have prevented a nasty dustup with my boss in 2000. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The AI Slop Paradox URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ai-slop-paradox/ Last updated: 2025-10-07T12:21:22.000Z Drivel is everywhere today, and the problem will only intensify. AI is both a cause and a solution. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### AI Book Settlement Tracker URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ai-book-settlement-tracker/ Last updated: 2025-10-05T15:27:23.000Z My latest [Notion](https://notion.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) template just dropped. It lets authors track claim status and settlement payments for all AI lawsuits. Here's the preview video: The cost is $9.94\. Here's a little more about it: As with any Notion template, you can customize it to meet your needs—and I'm not just talking about your specific titles and new lawsuits. Add new charts, automations, templates, properties, settlement override amounts, and database views to your heart's content. Invite co-authors or agents to collaborate on it if you like. Read [the whole post on the Racket Publishing site](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/ai-book-settlement-tracker/?ref=philsimon.com) for more information on it. If you subscribe to this site and you'd like to buy it, then head over to [the Benefits page](https://www.philsimon.com/subscriber-benefits/) to view your coupon code. [BUY THE TEMPLATE](https://www.notion.com/templates/ai-book-settlement-tracker?ref=philsimon.com) ### Maslow Revisited URL: https://www.philsimon.com/maslow-revisited/ Last updated: 2025-10-01T12:32:49.000Z Launching new AI features is all fine and dandy, but companies would do well to remember the basics. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Vibe Coding With Opal URL: https://www.philsimon.com/vibe-coding-opal/ Last updated: 2025-10-05T15:27:59.000Z Experiments with Google's new no-code app creator and why AI deniers are in for a wake-up call. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Year's Laziest Marketing Email URL: https://www.philsimon.com/laziest-marketing-email/ Last updated: 2025-09-23T12:18:11.000Z If you're going to engage with potential customers, offer something other than a transparent, pathetic reminder that you exist. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Adiós, Algorithms. Hello, Email. Remember Me? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/adios-algorithms-hello-email/ Last updated: 2025-12-16T02:21:26.000Z My custom system for consuming information wasn't ideal. I solved the problem by reevaluating my relationship with my longtime foe. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Flip Side of Forced System Migrations URL: https://www.philsimon.com/forced-system-migrations/ Last updated: 2026-01-19T23:57:11.000Z A sanguine post on the upside of tech change. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### AI as an English-to-English Translator URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ai-english-to-english-translator/ Last updated: 2025-09-10T13:00:29.000Z Claude helped me solve a longstanding problem. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### How I Use Notion URL: https://www.philsimon.com/how-i-use-notion/ Last updated: 2025-09-09T11:50:23.000Z [Notion](https://notion.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) is a remarkably powerful and versatile tool that has spawned [plenty of imitators](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-loop?ref=philsimon.com). I've written about [why I use it](https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-notion/), but not how. A recent LinkedIn discussion got me thinking about all the ways. The list in this post isn't comprehensive. You may not [think in terms of databases](https://www.philsimon.com/beauty-structured-data/), but I'll bet that you can get more out of this [amoeba app](https://www.philsimon.com/on-amoeba-and-notion/) than you currently are. ## Managing One-Off Projects Over the last two months, I [moved both of my sites from WordPress to Ghost](https://www.philsimon.com/the-next-chapter/). A Notion database served as each project's central nervous system. The projects went well for many reasons. At the top of the list: - [My amazing developer](https://www.spectralwebservices.com/?ref=philsimon.com). - We didn't rely on a torrent of emails. It's a key point in *Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace*. Instead, Notion served as our central project hub: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/07/ghost-migrations.jpeg) Notion Ghost Migration Main Page | Click on the image to enlarge it. ## Managing Complex Ghostwriting Projects Migrating a boatload of posts and pages from one content management system to another is one thing. Ghostwriting a 250-page nonfiction, research-intensive book for a busy professional with a five-person team is another. For this very reason, I built [RacketHub](https://www.racketpublishing.com/products/rackethub/?ref=philsimon.com) on Notion. Maybe it's [the Ikea effect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IKEA%5Feffect?ref=philsimon.com) in action, but it is the best book management system in the universe. A *Wall Street Journal* reporter working on her first title recently lauded it. ## Tracking Prospects When someone fills out the form on this site's [Connect page](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/), the completed entry winds up in my Notion-based CRM with an assist to [Tally](https://tally.so/?ref=philsimon.com).[1](#fn:1) The solution is more than sufficient for my needs. ## Reading Saved Articles I used to love the elegant Pocket app. I happily paid $49/year for the right to save my articles, strip out their ads, and listen to them on any device. Then things broke bad. Pocket started malfunctioning. I complained to its developers and then stopped using it. Not long after that, [it went *kaput*](https://www.pcmag.com/news/pocket-shut-down-the-read-it-later-app-will-close-on-july-8?ref=philsimon.com). Now I use the [Notion Web Clipper](https://www.notion.com/web-clipper?ref=philsimon.com) to send interesting pieces directly to a Notion database that functions more or less as Pocket once did: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/07/pocket.jpeg) Notion Pocket Articles Database | Click on the image to enlarge it. Yes, my system works on any device. If I open a post in Safari, [the browser will read it to me](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-siri-to-listen-to-a-webpage-iph449fc616c/ios?ref=philsimon.com) if I'm in the car or on a treadmill. ![silver aluminum case apple watch with white sport band](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1609096458733-95b38583ac4e?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDN8fEhJSVR8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzUzNDAxODkzfDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Blocks Fletcher](https://unsplash.com/@blocksfletcher?ref=philsimon.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) 🔜 I recently replaced this system with a different one that I'll cover in a forthcoming post. ## Watching Concerts Doing [HIIT](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity%5Finterval%5Ftraining?ref=philsimon.com) intervals on the gym treadmill isn't terribly exciting, but watching YouTube music videos helps pass the time. Recently, the beautiful “These Chains” from [Marillion](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/marillion/) inspired me while I was getting my sweat on. Sometimes, though, I want to watch entire prog-rock concerts—ones that don't exist on a streaming service. I'm talking about ones I've purchased as DVDs and then converted to gigantic .mp4 or .mov files. Why not just upload them to YouTube? Ethics and not a desire to avoid copyright violations. With respect to the latter, popular YouTubers like [Rick Beato](https://youtu.be/Qg7k3oQOayU?si=-vJRBZ7Ft3llz3JE&ref=philsimon.com) have to deal with an incessant stream of related bullshit these days. Rather than fight the machine, I just bring my concerts into Notion, the play button, and *voilà*! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/07/marillion.jpeg) Notion [Marillion](https://marillion.com/?ref=philsimon.com) Video Playlist | Click on the image to enlarge it. ## Planning My Trips Thanks to [this Notion template](https://www.philsimon.com/new-notion-templates/), I no longer forget to bring anything when I get on a plane for a speaking gig or vacay. ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ## Tracking Ideas for Future Blog Posts I store ideas for future posts in a separate database. In the past, I wrote the posts in Notion and then pasted them into WordPress, but [Ghost's visual editor](https://ghost.org/help/using-the-editor/?ref=philsimon.com) is a pleasure to use. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/07/blog-db.jpeg) Blog Post Idea dB | Click on the image to enlarge it. ## Managing My Site's Subscribers Now that my website supports [subscriptions with different perks](https://www.philsimon.com/subscriber-benefits/), I need to track who gets what. Enter Notion again. > "I want to do more context switching", said no one ever. A simple [Zapier](https://www.notion.com/integrations/zapier?ref=philsimon.com) integration creates a new database entry whenever someone signs up. I can then easily set up one-on-one coaching sessions, send complimentary copies of my [books](https://www.philsimon.com/books/), and the like. ## Actively and Passively Earning Money Individuals, teams, and organizations sometimes need someone with serious Notion development chops. Not coincidentally, I've [offered them](https://www.philsimon.com/services-notion-development/) for the past year. And then there's the *passive* income I earn from Notion. For the last 18 months or so, I've sold [templates](https://www.notion.so/@philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) and [courses](https://www.philsimon.com/products-courses/) on [the Notion Marketplace](https://www.notion.com/templates?ref=philsimon.com) (and on [Gumroad](https://gumroad.com/login?next=%2Fdashboard&ref=philsimon.com) before that.) When someone purchases one of them, a Notion [webhook](https://www.notion.com/help/webhook-actions?ref=philsimon.com) sends the sale to—wait for it—a dedicated Notion database. Pretty meta, right? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/07/notion-sales-1.jpeg) Notion Sale dB | Click on the image to enlarge it. [The Case for a Regular Tech AuditI’ll take the benefits of curiosity over the costs of problem-solving.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-26.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1454165804606-c3d57bc86b40)](https://www.philsimon.com/tech-audit/) ## Simon Says: Fewer tools mean fewer headaches and less money spent. Could I use Salesforce or Google Sheets as my CRM, buy [another read-it-later app](https://lifehacker.com/tech/5-best-read-later-apps-to-replace-pocket?ref=philsimon.com), and store my videos on Dropbox? Of course, but Notion works well for all of these purposes. More broadly, using fewer tools just makes life simpler. Souped-up Notion has eliminated a considerable amount of grunt work and duplicate data entry. Using fewer apps saves me money. Finally, I spend far less time context-switching. ## Feedback How are you using Notion, Coda, Airtable, or a similar tool? #### Footnotes 1. The solution is more than sufficient for my needs. [↩](#fnref:1 "Jump back to content") ### Citation Sloths URL: https://www.philsimon.com/citation-sloths/ Last updated: 2025-09-08T12:01:09.000Z Quoting a stat in a post or video? Great. Respect your audience by bringing your receipts. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Battle of the LLMs URL: https://www.philsimon.com/battle-of-the-llms/ Last updated: 2025-09-03T12:25:05.000Z To answer a simple basketball question, I pitted Claude and ChatGPT-5 against each other. Let's see which tool won and what we can learn from the exercise. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### ChatGPT-5 Still Makes Egregious Errors URL: https://www.philsimon.com/chatgpt-5-egregious-errors/ Last updated: 2026-01-21T01:26:55.000Z OpenAI's new model is supposed to represent an improvement over its predecessor. Maybe it is, but it's nowhere near perfect. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Moving From WordPress to Ghost: The Verdict URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ghost-wordpress-verdict/ Last updated: 2025-09-30T12:39:03.000Z A little over a month ago, this site moved from WordPress to Ghost. (Read the post about my motivations [here](https://www.philsimon.com/the-next-chapter/).) Today, I'll offer some early thoughts on the Ghost experience so far. Long story short: It's been exceptionally positive. ## Visual Editor A few quirks aside, I've embraced [Ghost's editor](https://ghost.org/help/using-the-editor/?ref=philsimon.com). It's clean and insanely fast. The ability to save snippets for future use saves a great deal of time. The blocks specific to emails and newsletters make sense. Conditional logic, baby. ## Maintenance Primary goals of moving to Ghost included minimizing the amount of time I spent fixing bugs and messing with caches. In each case, mission accomplished. ## A More Integrated Reader Experience Over the past few years, I've often visited an author's website and noticed something odd: it almost immediately encouraged me to go to Substack, Beehiiv, or someplace else. Exhibit A: [David Epstein](https://davidepstein.com/?ref=philsimon.com)—a truly gifted writer whose work I enjoy. Ditto for [Dan Pink](https://www.danpink.com/?ref=philsimon.com) and scores of others. I wonder if I'll miss out on one of their articles because I don't subscribe to both their blogs *and* newsletters. By using Ghost as a single distribution channel, I've eliminated that source of potential reader confusion. They need not wonder: - Where I publish different articles. - How I delineate among blog posts, articles, or newsletters. - If they're missing anything. Put differently, if I publish something, it's here. Period. (In the future, I may create separate newsletters if I want to segment my audience.) ![aerial photography of icebergs](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1523890445614-75ef2f67973e?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDZ8fGZyYWN0dXJlfGVufDB8fHx8MTc1NjM0MzAxOXww&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Sergey Kuznetsov](https://unsplash.com/@cr0t?ref=philsimon.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) Two months ago, that wasn't the case. My content was fractured across different websites. Different people saw different things—and I couldn't easily determine which posts were popular. ## The Move to a Subscription Model I'll be honest: It's been an adjustment not just publishing content for all to freely read. I suspect that my decision to adopt a membership model has in part contributed to a slight decline in website traffic. No doubt, [the explosion of GenAI tools](https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-02-19-gartner-predicts-search-engine-volume-will-drop-25-percent-by-2026-due-to-ai-chatbots-and-other-virtual-agents?ref=philsimon.com) is also culpable. On the plus side, at least now I know who's consuming my content and becoming [a true fan](https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/?ref=philsimon.com). (As an added benefit, tech companies cannot gobble up new posts to further train their AI models.) > I couldn't be happier with the resutls. In the weeks after my site relaunch, a few people expressed confusion about the posts they could view. Hopefully, the new emojis next to each one make it clear. From my [FAQ](https://www.philsimon.com/about-faq/): #### I see an emoji near a blog post. What does it signify? 🌍 = Public content that anyone can view without signing up for any plan. 🎁 = Reading the whole post requires creating a Free account & logging in to it. ➕ = Reading the whole post requires creating a Plus account & logging in to it. ⭐️ = Reading the whole post requires creating a Premium account & logging in to it. Along these lines, the revamped [Index page](https://www.philsimon.com/blog-index/) lets people see the posts associated with each tier. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/08/index.jpeg) Index Page: | Click on the image to enlarge it. I'm still noodling with [subscription tiers](https://www.philsimon.com/#/portal/subscribe). This much I know: I haven't quite nailed the right price and features for each one. I suspect that I'll tinker with them over the coming months. ## Ghost Support In a word, it's *fantastic*. On a few occasions, I sent the folks an email and found their responses genuinely helpful. And I love Ghost's [glorious alerts](https://www.philsimon.com/glorious-ghost-alert/). [I Asked AI How My Writing Has Evolved Since 2009\. Here’s What It Found.Claude weighs in on my nearly 1,500 blog my posts. Its findings were scary accurate.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-142.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1591262184859-dd20d214b52a-2)](https://www.philsimon.com/claude-ai-posts-discovery/) ## Parting Thoughts Ghost isn't the best alternative for every WordPress user. For me, though, it made sense to pull the trigger when I did. A little more than a month later, I'm ecstatic with my decisions to move to it and to hire [Spectral Web Services](https://www.spectralwebservices.com/?ref=philsimon.com). I expected a few bumps during the migration. I'm still squashing the random bug, but the time and money spent were well worth it. Finally, I've written more posts on my site in the last month than I have in the past year. The simple reason: Ghost has rekindled my love of blogging. I'm no longer battling a bloated WordPress theme and legacy tech. Less friction means more time getting my ideas out there. 🐜 Finding any problems with [my new website](https://www.philsimon.com/the-next-chapter/)? The launch went very well, but there's no way that we caught all the bugs. [Let me know](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/connect?ref=philsimon.com) if you find any issues or would like to provide any feedback. ### Will AI Make Us All Line Judges? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/will-ai-make-us-all-line-judges/ Last updated: 2025-08-28T12:56:51.000Z Not that long ago, the idea of a machine making tennis calls seemed far fetched. Now, thanks to a narrow form of AI, it's the norm. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The Nvidia Arrow URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-nvidia-arrow/ Last updated: 2025-08-30T23:26:19.000Z What if we're looking at the relationship between company success and remote work wrong? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The AI Goldilocks Test URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-ai-goldilocks-test/ Last updated: 2025-08-26T13:04:03.000Z Thoughts on the right way to use Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and ChatGPT. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### One AI Tool, One Simple Question, Two Different Answers URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ai-answers/ Last updated: 2026-02-10T02:30:46.000Z A simple exercise undermines a fundamental, scary LLM limitation. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### On Thermostats and AI Hallucinations URL: https://www.philsimon.com/on-thermostats-and-hallucinations/ Last updated: 2025-08-28T13:02:00.000Z A recent interaction with Claude left me profoundly perplexed. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The Forthcoming Wave of AI Mop-Up Jobs URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ai-mop-up/ Last updated: 2026-02-05T00:32:02.000Z Get your buckets ready. Plenty of rework is coming. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Harold Baines AI Hallucination URL: https://www.philsimon.com/harold-baines/ Last updated: 2025-08-30T22:41:30.000Z A recent experiment only underscores the need to question LLMs' responses. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### AI Dataviz Abominations URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ai-dataviz-abominations/ Last updated: 2025-08-22T02:15:23.000Z Claude knows a great many things, but it conveniently ignores the basics of creating simple charts. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### AI's Promethean Moment URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ais-promethean-moment/ Last updated: 2025-08-17T21:46:36.000Z As a 2023 tragedy manifsted, we're not remotely prepared for what's here, never mind what's coming. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Lessons From My Accounting System's Sudden Crash URL: https://www.philsimon.com/accounting-accounting-fail/ Last updated: 2026-07-24T02:36:50.000Z A case study in how not to run a software company and the current limitations of AI. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Web Browsing Is About to Get Much More Interesting URL: https://www.philsimon.com/web-browsing-is-about-to-get-much-more-interesting/ Last updated: 2025-08-06T12:58:14.000Z Forget the marginal improvements we've seen over the past decade. Big changes are coming. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### What Every Software Vendor Should Learn From This Glorious Ghost Alert URL: https://www.philsimon.com/glorious-ghost-alert/ Last updated: 2025-08-12T13:20:24.000Z Recent notifications from Google Gemini and Notion prove that they are generally a hot mess. There's hope, though: it's a fixable problem. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Generative AI Tool That's Blowing My Mind URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-generative-ai-tool-thats-blowing-my-mind/ Last updated: 2025-08-09T02:11:50.000Z Citizen developers' toolboxes just exploded. Arthur C. Clarke's words are ringing truer than ever. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### I Asked AI How My Writing Has Evolved Since 2009. Here's What It Found. URL: https://www.philsimon.com/claude-ai-posts-discovery/ Last updated: 2025-10-05T16:01:17.000Z Claude weighs in on my nearly 1,500 blog my posts. Its findings were scary accurate. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### How AI Eased My Recent Website Migration URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ai-ease-my-website-migration/ Last updated: 2025-09-08T12:11:46.000Z A long post about how our robot overlords saved me considerable time and money. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Why Most Niche Software Vendors Will Soon Perish URL: https://www.philsimon.com/why-most-niche-software-vendors-will-soon-perish/ Last updated: 2026-06-11T14:19:56.000Z AI is making many execs at smaller companies nervous. They should be. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### 20 Percent Off the Plus Plan URL: https://www.philsimon.com/20-percent-off-the-plus-plan/ Last updated: 2025-08-30T02:27:51.000Z I'm stoked about the new site and where I can take it. For the next month, I'm discounting the Plus plan 20%. Here's how it compares to the Free one: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/08/plans.jpeg) Plans as of August 2, 2025 | Click on the image to enlarge it. [LET'S DO THIS](https://www.philsimon.com/ghost-launch) ### Moving Day URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-next-chapter/ Last updated: 2026-07-21T02:07:36.000Z "Art is never finished, only abandoned." —Leonardo Da Vinci My website has always been a work in progress. Click [here](https://www.philsimon.com/about-site-history/) if you don't believe me. You might notice a few changes on it today. For openers, it probably loads much faster, and the menu bar now sticks to the left—not the top. Yeah, my trademark orange is still prominent, but the major changes aren't just cosmetic: today marks a new chapter for my website and, more importantly, for my business and me. ## The Skinny In June, I announced that I was moving my publishing website to a [subscription model](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/the-next-chapter/?ref=philsimon.com). Today, I'm letting you know that I'm doing the same thing with this one. I'll still occasionally publish free posts for all to see, but the vast majority of my new musings will require people to create accounts and log in to view them. I could use the term *paywall*, but it's a bit of a misnomer. Reading many posts will require no actual payment. Rather, you'll have to subscribe to at least the [Free plan](https://www.philsimon.com/subscriber-benefits/). (For more on the benefits of subscribing, click [here](https://www.philsimon.com/subscriber-benefits/).) ## Why Now? Where to begin? Let's start with the simplest reason: the technical one. ![man in red and black jacket wearing black pants and red helmet holding green and black](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1595856898575-9d187bd32fd6?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDJ8fG1haW50ZW5hbmNlfGVufDB8fHx8MTc1NTExNDQ5MXww&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Антон Дмитриев](https://unsplash.com/@ehmitrich?ref=philsimon.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) ### Maintenance Fatigue I've long known that I'm a geek. At [Carnegie Mellon](https://www.philsimon.com/reflections-on-carnegie-mellon-25-years-later/), even the poets know how to code. At the same time, I realize that I've spent far too much time over the past 15 years performing maintenance on my site—and hiring others to help occasionally. I'll conservatively estimate that I've put in an average of 1.5 hours per week diagnosing a bevy of issues over the last 15 years. That's 1,200 hours in total. To be sure, my old WordPress theme, Divi, served a valuable purpose. Still, [its future direction](https://www.elegantthemes.com/divi-5/?ref=philsimon.com) makes me suspect that my days of debugging wouldn't be ending. I'd much rather spend my professional time writing and [ghostwriting](https://www.philsimon.com/next-ghostwriting-project/) books, [speaking](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking), [creating Notion templates](https://www.notion.so/@philsimon?ref=philsimon.com), and consulting. > Tech alone didn't drive this decision. I'd be lying, though, if I claimed that tech alone drove this important (monumental?) decision. Far from it. ![a computer screen with a game on it](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1685914962460-f362d85829fa?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDJ8fHBhY21hbnxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NTIyNDgyOTZ8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Roger Ce](https://unsplash.com/@roger%5Fce77?ref=philsimon.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) ### Protecting My Content From Greedy Tech Companies As an added benefit, the decision will make it harder for soulless tech corporations to illegally hoover up my intellectual property without compensating me. (Count [*The Guardian*](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/jun/20/bbc-threatens-legal-action-against-ai-startup-over-content-scraping?ref=philsimon.com) and [Reddit](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/679768/reddit-sues-anthropic-alleging-its-bots-accessed-reddit-more-than-100000-times-since-last-july?ref=philsimon.com) among the companies that have recently filed lawsuits against these scoundrels, but I digress.) It's become [such a problem](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/07/01/ai-crawlers-reddit-wikipedia-fight/?ref=philsimon.com) that [Cloudflare](https://developers.cloudflare.com/cache/advanced-configuration/crawler-hints/?ref=philsimon.com) and other companies are launching tools that prevent AI crawlers from doing their thing. ### The Core Reason Since leaving ASU in 2020, I had been relying on [white whales](https://www.philsimon.com/three-freelancing-models/) for clients. Maybe it was time to make a change? A few months ago, my Carnegie Mellon friend and fellow *Die Hard* fanatic [Moneet Singh](https://www.linkedin.com/in/moneet/?ref=philsimon.com) and I were discussing evolving business models and the need to build subscription businesses. Like all good friends, he didn't hold back when he assessed my site. In between [Hans Gruber quotes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJvhsFRaO9Q&ref=philsimon.com), he mentioned how I had already created plenty of solid [lead magnets](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/lead-magnet.asp?ref=philsimon.com). I just wasn't using them properly. Moneet was being kind. I wasn't using them *at all*. That conversation stuck with me over the coming weeks. I harbored no illusions about climbing to the top of the [Substack Business Leaderboard](https://substack.com/leaderboard/business/paid?ref=philsimon.com) and pocketing six figures per month. Still, was the idea of taking advantage of my existing blog posts, courses, Notion templates, and other assets to create a decent monthly revenue stream really farfetched. ### Returning to the Tech I didn't think so, but my website's legacy underpinnings would mean adding even more software in the form of [subscription plugins](https://wordpress.org/plugins/paid-member-subscriptions/?ref=philsimon.com) and [proper newsletter capabilities](https://wordpress.org/plugins/newsletter/?ref=philsimon.com). I realized if I wanted to create a viable subscription business, I didn't *need* to tear down my website. Make no mistake, though: A [more contemporary and faster content management system](https://ghost.org/vs/wordpress/?ref=philsimon.com) would certainly make it easier for me to achieve my goals. ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ## The New Foundation With the help of rockstar developer [Cathy Sarisky](https://www.spectralwebservices.com/?ref=philsimon.com), I have successfully migrated my WordPress site to [Ghost](http://www.ghost.io/?ref=philsimon.com). (I'm [hardly alone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IewnxUAgsLc&ref=philsimon.com) in doing so.) You'll notice a significantly faster website. The difference between Ghost and my old WordPress/Divi site is almost comical: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/07/site_speed.jpeg) GTMetrix Site Speed, July 27, 2025 | Click on the image to enlarge it. All of my old posts should render, just at different URLs that [should automatically forward](https://ghost.org/tutorials/implementing-redirects/?ref=philsimon.com). I'd be mystified, however, if we caught *all* the bugs. Please let me know if you find: - Any 404 errors or dead links. - Any missing images. - Something else janky. I'll get them fixed as quickly as I can. [I FOUND A SITE ISSUE](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ## What Has Changed I've fused all of my prior followers into Ghost. If you subscribed to my WordPress blog, [Patreon page](https://www.patreon.com/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com), or [Substack](http://philsimon.substack.com/), I've moved you to this site's Free plan.[1](#fn:1) I've used the email address that you gave me when you signed originally up days, weeks, months, or years ago. My new Ghost site is a clean, lightning-fast, [SEO-optimized](https://ghost.org/help/seo/?ref=philsimon.com), and responsive one that looks good on any device—all without third-party software and caching plugins. I'm kicking myself for not moving to Ghost sooner. Check out the subscriptions part of my FAQ page [here](https://www.philsimon.com/about-faq/#section-zero-title). If you don't find what you're looking for, comment here (after you log in) or [contact me](https://www.philsimon.com/connect). [AI’s Continued Lack of Transparency and ConsistencyAdventures in truly amazing, opaque software that makes basic errors.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-194.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1444837881208-4d46d5c1f127)](https://www.philsimon.com/transparency-consistency/) ## The Future of My Site Look for more frequent and longer posts from me over the coming months and years on [AI](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/ai), the future of work, [Notion](https://notion.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com), [citizen development](https://www.philsimon.com/ghost/#/tags/lc-nc), workplace tech, hybrid work, and the usual *bouillabaisse* of other work- and tech-related topics. (Future posts on writing and publishing will live on [Racket Publishing](https://www.racketpublishing.com/?ref=philsimon.com).) Why the renewed [enthusiasm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igVkg65MGf4&ref=philsimon.com) for writing? A few reasons. First, I want people to subscribe and for some of them to pay. In order to achieve these goals, I have to bring the goods. The occasional short post just won't cut it. By all accounts, posting content irregularly leads to increased churn. Second, [on a personal level](https://youtu.be/WXUtmUnBsUA?t=168&ref=philsimon.com), I absolutely love Ghost's über-clean backend UI. It's very Notion-y. Here's a screenshot: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/notion-UI.jpeg) Notion Back End UI for This Post. Pretty slick. [In Defense of SlackCal Newport is a smart dude whose new book is based upon two fundamental misconceptions.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-60.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1496200186974-4293800e2c20)](https://www.philsimon.com/in-defense-of-slack/) Now that I'm not waiting 60 seconds for WordPress and Divi to create a new post, I'm stoked about putting more of my thoughts and creations out there. Get your popcorn ready, and thank you for reading this post. Phil Simon #### Footnotes 1. Medium doesn't let users export their followers. [↩](#fnref:1 "Jump back to content") ❓ Finding any problems with my new website? There's no way that we caught all of the bugs. [Let me know](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/connect?ref=philsimon.com) if you find any issues or would like to provide any feedback. ### New Notion Template: Venture Capital & Investment Tracker URL: https://www.philsimon.com/notion-vc-investments/ Last updated: 2025-07-26T17:24:46.000Z Many folks make major investments in startups—and manage others' investments. You'd think that they'd all track their considerable financial commitments in a systematic fashion. Some do, but many continue to rely upon spreadsheets and emails. It's a matter of when—not if—things break bad. I can't stop them from working inefficiently and eschewing modern solutions. I can, however, offer an alternative: a user-friendly, customizable, and affordable template to let them manage their investments, run reports, track signed documents, and much more. ## Sign up for Simon Says SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. Here's a brief explainer video: So I built one. If I worked in as an investor, I'd be all over this. [BUY THE TEMPLATE](https://tinyurl.com/notion-vc-inv?ref=philsimon.com) ❓ Finding any problems with my new website? There's no way that we caught all of the bugs. [Let me know](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/connect?ref=philsimon.com) if you find any issues or would like to provide any feedback. ### AI's Continued Lack of Transparency and Consistency URL: https://www.philsimon.com/transparency-consistency/ Last updated: 2025-08-03T02:31:04.000Z Adventures in truly amazing, opaque software that makes basic errors. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Joy of Diversification and New Endeavors URL: https://www.philsimon.com/joy/ Last updated: 2025-09-30T13:40:02.000Z I reflect on my decision to leave my teaching position and channel my inner Billy Beane. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Why You Should Read Ghostwriters' Previous Books Before Hiring Them URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ghostwriter/ Last updated: 2025-09-09T02:24:09.000Z Selecting a ghostwriter is a big decision. No, it's not irrevocable, but the wrong choice can set you back oodles of cash and time. If your book is timely (and it should be), then you won't be able to recoup the opportunity costs. For these reasons, if you're thinking of using any ghost—including and especially me—you should read one of the author's previous books. Over the years, I've talked to ghostwriters who claim they can always find their clients' voices. [Doesn't matter who](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdGrC9S4PYA&ref=philsimon.com). Let's just say that I have my doubts. ## My Writing Style In my [books](https://www.philsimon.com/books), I write in an active style. I despise [jargon](https://www.philsimon.com/book-excerpt-jargon-and-the-management-scientists/) and the passive voice. I keep my sentences relatively short, and in the rare event of a long one, I will immediately truncate the next one. Long paragraphs annoy me as a reader, so why use them as a writer? Finally, I'm a big fan of case studies. Show, don't tell—to quote the great Rush song. > The client-ghostwriter relationship is very much an intimate one. Ideally, all would-be authors would adopt the same principles. Some clients, however, insist upon a dramatically different tone. Sure, I can dial down the snark, but I can't and won't write like [a pompous academic](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/communication/how-not-to-start-a-book/). [Grammarly](https://grammarly.go2cloud.org/SH3Ij?ref=philsimon.com) and other AI writing tools can easily transform text today, but [the results are often synthetic](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/ai/can-ai-write-in-my-voice/). Why buy a condo when you really want a ranch? ## Lessons From Previous Ghostwriting Gigs My last two ghostwriting gigs have gone well for a variety of reasons. For starters, each client has agreed to use [RacketHub](https://www.racketpublishing.com/products/rackethub/?ref=philsimon.com) and other contemporary tech. (Hello, [Calendly](https://calendly.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com).) They have respected the process and trusted that I knew what I was doing. More importantly, though, both of my clients knew in advance the style and content of each chapter—and, ultimately, the final product. No one has ever been surprised when I turned in a near-final draft of a 5,000-word chapter. As a result, project momentum continues. We keep moving forward. ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. I can't stress enough why these tenets matter so much. The client-ghostwriter relationship is very much an intimate one. Over the course of months or even years, the two parties will work together closely. From the get-go, respect each other's time and input. Disagree respectfully. Adapting to different cadences and exhibiting flexibility certainly doesn't hurt. The early riser and the night owl may struggle to find common meeting times. Make no mistake: this matters. All work can't be asynchronous. ![A group of question marks sitting next to each other](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1724120932024-07984b247ff1?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDE3fHxxdWVzdGlvbnN8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzU2NTIwNjg0fDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Buddha Elemental 3D](https://unsplash.com/@buddhaelemental3d?ref=philsimon.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) ## Simon Says Before you even sign papers with your writing partner, though, start with something more foundational. See if you dig the ghostwriter's previous efforts. Good questions to ask include: - Does the ghost's tone generally jibe with your own? - Do I write and speak in an appreciably different manner? (If so, then you'll appear off in interviews discussing the book?) - If the differences are minor, then can the ghost modify his/her style? A recalcitrant writer who uses 50-cent words—like *recalcitrant*—may be signaling that he isn't a peach to work with. (I prefer the Oxford comma, but I won't die on that hill.) If not, then maybe you're trying to put a square peg in a round hole. [What I Really Want From AIIn the name of all that is holy, can someone please invent a better computer diagnostic tool?![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-29.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0896-1.JPG)](https://www.philsimon.com/what-i-really-want-from-ai/) ## Feedback What say you? ### New Notion Template: Manuscript Word-Count Tracker URL: https://www.philsimon.com/word-count-notion/ Last updated: 2025-07-24T14:03:41.000Z How do you write a 50,000-word manuscript? The glib answer is *one word at a time*. Here's the longer one. Yes, you should [do your research](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/writing/research-ingestion-engines/?ref=philsimon.com) first. Write willy-nilly and you'll need an expensive [developmental edit](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/writing/developmental-edit/?ref=philsimon.com). ## Let the Writing Begin There comes a point, though, when you'll have to start the process. Over the years, I have found tracking daily word counts to be beneficial. Every day, you inch towards the massive goal of completing it. Simple charts can reinforce the notion that you're getting closer. (The template includes two, but you've got to be a paid [Notion](https://notion.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) plan to view more than one. Of course, you can create as many ones as you like.) ## Sign up for Simon Says SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. OK. I'll take off my motivational hat. [RacketHub](https://www.racketpublishing.com/products/rackethub?ref=philsimon.com) includes dozens of interrelated and sophisticated trackers. I've decided to make the word-count one available for free as a Notion template. 🎁 What can I say? I'm a giver. Here's a quick video overview: [DOWNLOAD FOR FREE](https://www.notion.so/philsimon/Manuscript-Word-Count-Tracker-16dfbefd2aed80be910ce6f7d31615ad?pvs=4&ref=philsimon.com) Click [here](https://www.tella.tv/video/automatically-creating-daily-entries-7bvd?ref=philsimon.com) for a demo on how to enable default daily entries by date. It's a useful feature that takes maybe 15 seconds to enable. --- Cross-posted on [the Racket Publishing site](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/publishing/word-count-notion/?ref=philsimon.com). [SEE ALL OF MY NOTION TEMPLATES](https://www.notion.so/@philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) ### The Better Collaboration Question URL: https://www.philsimon.com/better-collaboration/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T22:38:14.000Z Which tool will we use to do X? After all, modern organizations use [dozens](https://www.okta.com/businesses-at-work/2021/?ref=philsimon.com) of overlapping applications and systems—and sometimes nearly 200\. As but one example, Zoom, MS Teams, and Webex are viable videoconferencing options. Don't get me started on the vast array of task-management tools. Once a firm lands on a magnet app, however, the question shifts. It becomes: Where in \[insert name of tool\] should we put X? ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. That's not to say that people don't make honest mistakes while using [Notion](https://notion.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com), Loom, Coda, and other magnet apps. They do. But moving a database, drawing, PDF, document, or other file from one location to another *within the same, universally used app* is simple. Choosing a new tool altogether (and fighting myriad internal battles over the move) is a very different kettle of fish. [Phil Simon: A Better Way to WorkHubs and spokes in action.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/cropped-newlogo-17.png)Phil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/3d-1.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/collaboration/a-better-way-to-work/) ## Simon Says Training willing participants to use a tool isn't difficult. Getting everyone to agree upon it in the first place is. ### Now Available: Two New Notion Templates URL: https://www.philsimon.com/new-notion-templates/ Last updated: 2025-08-04T09:36:42.000Z As a frequent traveler, I’d sometimes forget to pack something for a personal or business trip. And by *sometimes*, I mean *almost always*. Late-night journeys to pharmacies weren’t uncommon. Sounds like a solvable problem, eh? ## Template #1: Trip Planning, Packing, and Task Database Over the last few months, I created and refined a system in [Notion](https://notion.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) to ensure that I never forget to do or pack anything again. Ever. Here's one of the screenshots: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/clothes-1.png) Screenshot from Trip Planning, Packing, and Task Database Click on the image to enlarge it. Yeah, I bring a fanny pack to the gym to store my workout bands, Purell, and a few other items. TMI? Hey, at least it's not a [change purse](https://youtu.be/DXeRCJzrQEA?t=100&ref=philsimon.com). > The system includes some cool database views. Of course, you can customize the hell out of it, create new templates for different types of trips, and all that jazz. Today, I'm launching my little system as a new Notion template. It includes some cool database views, like this timeline: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/timeline-view-1.png) Trips and Tasks Click on the image to enlarge it. Here's an overview video: Click the button below to learn more about it and buy it for $24.99 (USD). [BUY THE TRIP PLANNER TEMPLATE](https://www.notion.so/profile/templates/form/published/f4aeded2-9f40-4b22-9087-3ef42e007367?ref=philsimon.com) ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ## Template #2: Enhanced Task Notifications As much as I love [Notion](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/notion), I’ve found its default task notifications a smidge lacking from the get-go. My biggest issue: If you complete a task early and fail to disable the task reminder, Notion still sends you a notification. I would complete a task a few days before its due date, but I rarely remembered to turn off the reminder. The false positives drove me nuts. I'd ask myself, "Wait, didn't I already complete that task four days ago? Am I going senile?" Several attempts to solve this problem bore no fruit, but [I'm notoriously and unapologetically stubborn](https://www.philsimon.com/channeling-my-inner-bulldog-the-case-for-stubbornness/). Last week's [Make With Notion conference](https://makewithnotion.com/?ref=philsimon.com) was awesome. It included [a video testimonial from yours truly](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pV9i%5FU57Uo&ref=philsimon.com). During one segment, I saw an opportunity to do finally fix the thorny notification issue for good. As it turned out, I was right. This simple template enhances Notion’s default notifications in several useful ways. Specifically, it: - Eliminates superfluous notifications on completed tasks. You no longer have to worry about whether or not you remembered to uncheck task reminders when you complete a task before its due date. (If I had a nickel for every false positive I received, I’d have more than a few bucks, but I digress.) In fact, with this template, you may no longer find a need for the Remind box at all. - By default, alerts the task owner if the task remains uncompleted seven days past its due date. - By default, alerts the task owner if the task remains uncompleted a month past its due date. Of course, you can easily customize the template as needed. Anyone with a modicum of Notion skill can replicate this functionality in an existing Notion task or project database. [Moving DaySome thoughts on where I’m taking my website—and what it means to you.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-28.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1730154838368-c37b1fdebcf6-1)](https://www.philsimon.com/the-next-chapter/) The price for the Enhanced Task Notifications template is $9.95 (USD). [LEVEL UP YOUR NOTION TASK NOTIFICATIONS](https://www.notion.so/templates/enhanced-task-notifications?ref=philsimon.com) ### October Tech Tips URL: https://www.philsimon.com/october-tech-tips/ Last updated: 2025-08-14T20:27:43.000Z ℹ️ This post originally ran on my now-retired Substack. Way back in the 80s and 90s, we used to buy software. Starting in the early aughts, though, Salesforce and other software vendors realized that they could make more money by renting us the same applications. Now, software as a service (SaaS) is standard. Today, try and buy a program. It’s not easy. [Once.com](https://once.com/?ref=philsimon.com) from the folks at 37signals is swimming against the stream. ## Bucking the Trend A few days ago, GoDaddy sent me a note that it was time to renew Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365). Paying $25/month for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint seemed excessive, so I started digging. I found cheaper monthly alternatives, but the pièce de résistance was [a lifetime M365 subscription for $249](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/p/office-home-business-2024/cfq7ttc0pbm7?ref=philsimon.com). Sold. ## Sign up for Simon Says SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. ## iPhone Spam Prevention > It’s easy to fall down the automation rabbit hole. iPhone, iPad, and Mac users often neglect to use Apple’s default automations. Big mistake. The [Shortcuts app](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shortcuts/id915249334?ref=philsimon.com) is insanely powerful. You can create mini apps sans any coding experience. In the first few minutes of the video below, rock star Stephen Robles explains how to auto-unsubscribe from spam. As I write in [*The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/the-nine/)*,* it’s easy to fall down the automation rabbit hole. [Here](https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/3180ada1ae58467ebafc1650ff610dad?ref=philsimon.com) is a shortcut I tweaked that automatically sends people in your Contacts app birthday notifications. (Maybe it’s a bit impersonal, but we live in an era in which [AI is breaking up with humans](https://arstechnica.com/ai/2024/10/man-learns-hes-being-dumped-via-dystopian-ai-summary-of-texts/?ref=philsimon.com).) Also, I’ve got a crazy shortcut that shoots a iPad screenshot of Wordle, Connections, and other [*NY Times*](https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections?ref=philsimon.com)[ games](https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections?ref=philsimon.com) to my friends. All told, shortcuts save me about five minutes per day or 30 hours per year. #geek I’d be shocked if there weren’t Android equivalents. ❓ Finding any problems with my new website? There's no way that we caught all of the bugs. [Let me know](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/connect?ref=philsimon.com) if you find any issues or would like to provide any feedback. ### Thank You for Spamming Me, Nobull URL: https://www.philsimon.com/nobull-spam/ Last updated: 2025-07-19T20:22:21.000Z The company's incessant spam made me make a long-overdue change. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Can AI Write in My Voice? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/can-ai-write-in-my-voice/ Last updated: 2025-07-24T13:50:44.000Z An experiment that conjures up images of teleported steak. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Now Available: New Speaking Gig Task Database URL: https://www.philsimon.com/new-speaking-gig-task-database/ Last updated: 2025-06-30T02:27:19.000Z Over the last two decades, I've done hundreds of [speaking gigs](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking). A few have gone off without a hitch. Probably half of them have posed [thorny A/V issues](https://www.philsimon.com/when-av-issues-attack/). At different times, the following have also proved difficult: - Ordering and shipping books. - Getting paid. - Getting quality video of the talk for my website and social media. I could go on, but you get the point. No checklist will solve every conceivable speaking-related problem. If someone says otherwise, run. Still, relying on memory is bound to increase the risk that something breaks bad. Ditto when a key member of the team leaves and critical information lies in her inbox. > No checklist will solve every conceivable speaking-related problem. ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ## New Speaking Gig Task Database Today, I'm pleased to announce my latest [Notion](https://notion.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) template. It's a simple task database that speakers can share with their clients, speaker bureaus, support staff, partners, and publishers. Oh, and it's simple to customize as you see fit. You can easily replicate it for each gig, or you can turn it into a template in a Notion CRM system like [this one](https://philsimon.notion.site/Simple-CRM-Project-Tracker-v-1-1-137fbefd2aed817686abd42c029b5dad?ref=philsimon.com). If that's not your jam, you can [hire me to tweak it for you](https://www.philsimon.com/services/notion-development/). Here's a simple screenshot: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/speaking-gig.jpeg) Overdue tasks in New Speaking Gig Task Database. Click to embiggen. The price is $14.95 (USD). Go nuts. [BUY THE TEMPLATE](https://www.notion.so/templates/new-speaking-gig-task-database-v-1-1?ref=philsimon.com) ### The Curiosity Dividend URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-curiosity-dividend/ Last updated: 2025-08-17T20:24:35.000Z A post on the benefits of embracing the unknown. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Now Available: Custom Notion Development URL: https://www.philsimon.com/now-available-custom-notion-development/ Last updated: 2025-08-09T02:04:51.000Z Readers of [*Low-Code/No-Code*](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking/popular-topics/low-code-no-code/) and my blog know how much I've time I've been spending in the increasingly popular magnet app [Notion](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/notion). A little while ago, I even launched my *magnum opus*: a full-fledged system for authors, book coaches, publishers, and ghostwriters called [Racket Hub](https://www.racketpublishing.com/products/rackethub/?ref=philsimon.com). (My current ghostwriting client is digging it.) I've recently released [a few simple templates](https://www.notion.so/@philsimon?ref=philsimon.com), but this area is fertile ground. If the popularity of hybrid and remote work has taught us anything, it's that companies and teams need new, user-friendly tools to work more efficiently. And then there are old standbys. One of my clients—a startup—simply doesn't need the [bloatware](https://www.reddit.com/r/salesforce/comments/f01r5q/salesforce%5Fis%5Fbloatware/?ref=philsimon.com) that comes with a proper Salesforce subscription. There. I said it. ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. [Notion and Slack for ... Relationship Management?Spreadsheets and group chats no longer cut it. The gap between work and personal applications is shrinking.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-89.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1494774157365-9e04c6720e47-1)](https://www.philsimon.com/notion-slack-relationship-management/) ## A New Offering Based on the work I've started doing for a few clients, it's obvious that there's a need for this valuable service. To this end, today I'm pleased to announce a new offering: Notion system and application development. Click the button below for more information and an FAQ. [LEARN MORE](https://www.philsimon.com/services/notion-development/) ### Now Available: Simple Notion CRM & Project Tracker URL: https://www.philsimon.com/simple-notion-crm/ Last updated: 2025-08-04T21:45:12.000Z I like to think that I've spent the past quarter-century-plus helping people improve their use of tech. Why stop now? Readers of my site know that I've become a smidge obsessed with the magnet app [Notion](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/Notion). (It's all over [*Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications*](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking/popular-topics/low-code-no-code/).) A few months ago, I launched [RacketHub](https://www.racketpublishing.com/products/rackethub?ref=philsimon.com)—a Notion-based, full-fledged book-management system that I'm currently using with Racket Publishing clients. It vastly simplifies the process of writing a quality non-fiction book. Creating powerful tools in Notion is just plain fun. To this end, I've decided to build and sell some simple Notion templates and start offering [development services](https://www.philsimon.com/services/notion-development/). The first one is now live. I'll be dropping others over the coming months. ## Drumroll The [Simple Notion CRM & Project Tracker](https://philsimon.gumroad.com/l/simple-crm?ref=philsimon.com) allows freelancers to track clients, projects, tasks, meetings, and invoices in Notion. These five interconnected databases work seamlessly together and serve as a one-stop shop of sorts. I've thrown in some cool formulas and database views designed to make life as easy as possible for users. Of course, you can customize the databases, add formulas and views, and much more. The world is your oyster. ![](https://public-files.gumroad.com/o3snrlk6q7gsarlgzvaqal3jttul) A talented designer friend of mine demoed it last and found it intuitive and useful. Watch an overview video here: The price is $19.99 (USD). Go nuts. [BUY NOW](https://www.notion.so/templates/simple-crm-project-tracker-639?ref=philsimon.com) ### CrowdStrike Goes All Onion URL: https://www.philsimon.com/crowdstrike-goes-all-onion/ Last updated: 2025-07-30T02:29:25.000Z **Updated:** 11:10 am, July 25, 2024 People of a certain age remember the popular 90s newspaper *The Onion*. For my money, it served up the smartest satire out there. A few of my faves included: - [Christ Returns to NBA](https://www.theonion.com/christ-returns-to-nba-1819563859?ref=philsimon.com) - [Microsoft Patents Ones, Zeroes](https://www.theonion.com/microsoft-patents-ones-zeroes-1819564663?ref=philsimon.com) - [Clinton Deploys Vowels to Bosnia](https://www.ling.upenn.edu/~beatrice/humor/clinton-deploys-vowels.html?ref=philsimon.com) Often, the paper [fooled folks](https://abcnews.go.com/International/times-people-fooled-onion/story?id=31444478&ref=philsimon.com) into believing obviously ridiculous stories. Today, it still lives on as a scathing [website](https://www.theonion.com/?ref=philsimon.com) and [one hell of a book](https://amzn.to/46me9OS?ref=philsimon.com). [What I Really Want From AIIn the name of all that is holy, can someone please invent a better computer diagnostic tool?![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-63.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0896-1-2.JPG)](https://www.philsimon.com/what-i-really-want-from-ai/) ## Simon Says CrowdStrike’s recent decision to offer clients [$10 gift cards](https://techcrunch.com/2024/07/24/crowdstrike-offers-a-10-apology-gift-card-to-say-sorry-for-outage/?ref=philsimon.com) is nothing if not *Onion*\-worthy. Correction: Looks like this offer only went to "[affected partners](https://www.fastcompany.com/91162328/crowdstrike-offers-10-uber-eats-gift-cards-as-an-apology-for-the-outage?ref=philsimon.com)." ### The Case for a Regular Tech Audit URL: https://www.philsimon.com/tech-audit/ Last updated: 2025-07-25T00:27:21.000Z I'll take the benefits of curiosity over the costs of problem-solving. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Miscellaneous Mindset URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-miscellaneous-mindset/ Last updated: 2025-08-08T15:30:00.000Z A post on the benefits of not staying in your lane. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### On AI, Psychedelics, and Spinal Tap URL: https://www.philsimon.com/psychedelics/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T21:13:43.000Z Maybe incoherent output isn't so worthless after all? _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Three Freelancing Models URL: https://www.philsimon.com/three-freelancing-models/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T19:17:26.000Z Thoughts on a few ways to make a living for yourself. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Notion and Slack for ... Relationship Management? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/notion-slack-relationship-management/ Last updated: 2025-07-25T02:07:12.000Z Spreadsheets and group chats no longer cut it. The gap between work and personal applications is shrinking. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Does Writing a Book Resemble the Waterfall Method or Scrum? Yes. URL: https://www.philsimon.com/book-scrum/ Last updated: 2025-09-01T01:43:58.000Z A book is that rare breed of product that fuses two very different ways to build a mousetrap. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 83: Slack at Scale With Ksenia Boyer URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-83-ksenia-boyer/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T21:45:37.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/kb-headshot-blue-background-ksenia-boyer-large-jpeg-1.jpg) [Ksenia Boyer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kseniaboyer/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me to discuss about collaboration, culture, internal product management, and change management. ### Meet RacketHub URL: https://www.philsimon.com/meet-rackethub/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T18:52:01.000Z Over the past year or so, I've been building a system that makes lives easier for people involved in writing books. It's called RacketHub and it's now available for pubchase. Early feedback has been exceptionally positive. It's the tool I wish I had back when I started writing books back in 2008. I wrote [a lengthy post](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/announcements/meet-rackethub/?ref=philsimon.com) on the Racket Publishing site explaining it. [Let me know](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) if you're interested in becoming an affiliate. ### Notion Formulas Based on Attachments URL: https://www.philsimon.com/notion-formulas-attachments/ Last updated: 2025-08-25T21:46:21.000Z Impossible? Think again. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 82: A Personal Update URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-82-personal-update/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T19:14:33.000Z I've been on a self-imposed podcast hiatus since June of last year. In this quick episode, I tell you why I needed a break, what I've been up to, and my future plans for the pod. ### The Nine Wins Two Axiom Awards URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-nine-wins-axiom-awards/ Last updated: 2025-06-30T02:22:52.000Z I am pleased to announce that [*The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace* ](https://www.philsimon.com/books/the-nine)has won [two Axiom awards](https://axiomawards.com/97/2024-medalists?ref=philsimon.com): - Gold, Business Technology - Silver, Business Commentary ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. This puts my total Axiom awards at five. *Reimagining Collaboration*, *Message Not Received*, and *The Age of the Platform* also won individual awards. Mic drop. ### Mac Power Hour URL: https://www.philsimon.com/mac-power-hour/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:51:07.000Z Back in 2010, a series of events made me ditch PCs once and for all. I made the jump to a Mac and never looked back. I even created a few amusing [cartoons](https://www.philsimon.com/the-transition/) to chronicle my journey. It went well. One month after getting my first MacBook Pro, I visited the Apple Store in Wayne, NJ. The genius there asked me how many years I had used Macs. He didn't believe me when I said only a month. Yeah, it was a match made in heaven. Since that time, I've spent thousands of hours on my Macs. I've noodled with different settings, installed some great third-party apps, and developed and refined an ideal way of working. This method: - Eliminates distractions. - Allows me to routinely achieve flow state. - Keeps me organized. - Lets me easily locate files and conversations. - Maximizes my productivity. ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. During Zoom screenshares, my clients have often asked me to explain how I did something on my Mac. Of course, I would show them. A few even booked an hour with me to show them most of the most useful clubs in my bag. Their feedback was exceptionally positive. Today, I've decided to formally offer my Mac Power Hour to the world. New Mac users and even experienced ones will benefit a great deal. I promise. [LEARN MORE](https://www.philsimon.com/services-mac-power-hour/) [BOOK IT ON CALENDLY](https://calendly.com/%5Fphilsimon/mac-power-hour?ref=philsimon.com) ### Tectonic Forces and Commerical Real Estate URL: https://www.philsimon.com/tectonic-forces-and-commerical-real-estate/ Last updated: 2025-06-30T02:25:04.000Z Hybrid work. Dispersion. [Employee empowerment](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/employee-empowerment/). Thorny inflation and attendant interest-rate increases. These are just a few of the forces that I cover in [*The Nine*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/the-nine). In the book, I describe how the they're colliding, and why the workplace will never return to its pre-COVID state. Landlords, banks, and others involved in commercial real estate are starting to realize as much. As last night's *60 Minutes* segment showed, the societal and economic consequences are grave. ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Give it a watch. ### Can AI Improve Atrocious Writing? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ai-improve-atrocious-writing/ Last updated: 2025-12-21T21:35:07.000Z Yes, but that's the wrong question to ask. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Dangerous Democratization of AI URL: https://www.philsimon.com/dangerous-democratization-ai/ Last updated: 2025-08-09T02:08:34.000Z Open-source software means many things—and some are downright terrifying. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The Amazon Coffee Rebellion URL: https://www.philsimon.com/amazon-coffee-rebellion/ Last updated: 2025-07-23T13:47:21.000Z It turns out that there's a ton of overlap between free joe and reinstating a booted CEO. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Department Names Don't Matter. Just Help Me. URL: https://www.philsimon.com/just-help-me/ Last updated: 2025-08-18T21:25:28.000Z More Apple issues are grinding my gears. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### How Fancy Text Helps Me Identify Spam URL: https://www.philsimon.com/fancy-text-identify-spam/ Last updated: 2025-08-03T16:55:34.000Z Here's a simple way to weed out these bots and clowns. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### On OpenAI and Employee Empowerment URL: https://www.philsimon.com/openai-and-employee-empowerment/ Last updated: 2026-03-14T23:14:47.000Z What happens when a dissatisfied board and a loyal workforce with white-hot skills collide? We're about to find out. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Speaker Sizzle Reel URL: https://www.philsimon.com/speaker-sizzle-reel/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T19:12:14.000Z I finally got around to doing a proper sizzle reel for [my speaking practice](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking). Go nuts. Hat tip to rockstar [Stephanie Welch](https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephbrown/?ref=philsimon.com). ### Appearance on Turn the Lens URL: https://www.philsimon.com/turn-the-lens/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:51:38.000Z [Jeff Frick](https://www.work20xx.com/?ref=philsimon.com) recently had me on his show Turn the Lens to talk about *The Nine*. It's among my favorite talks and podcasts about the new book. Enjoy. ### The Notification Struggle Is Real URL: https://www.philsimon.com/notifications/ Last updated: 2025-08-26T23:53:54.000Z Earlier this week, I wrote about my struggles to get Notion to stop sending me [irrelevant notifications](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/ai/priorities/). As it turns out, my travails aren't limited to my favorite low-code/no-code tool. ## Todoist Travails For nearly a decade, I've been using Todoist to track my productivity and for light project management. For the third time in the past five years, though, the desktop app has inexplicably stopped sending me desktop alerts when tasks are due. I opened yet another ticket a few days ago. As of this writing, crickets. Not surprisingly, Todoist recently hopped on the über-popular AI train. Here's a screenshot of its new AI Assistant: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/todoist-1.jpg) > If given the choice, I'll opt for the Notion issue. My Todoist issue is the opposite of my Notion one. The latter tells me that I have to complete things that I've *already* completed; the former fails to tell me that tasks are due. (To be fair, Todoist alerts still work as expected on its iPhone and Apple Watch apps.) ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ## Simon Says Software breaks. I get it. [Regression testing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regression%5Ftesting?ref=philsimon.com) isn't perfect. If given the choice, I suspect that most users will gladly opt for the Notion issue, but why should they have to choose? Is it unreasonable to expect a product's basic features to consistently work? [The Speed of AnalyticsThoughts on how long it takes to turn raw data into insights.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-116.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1578991132108-16c5296b63dc)](https://www.philsimon.com/the-speed-of-analytics/) Evidently, the answer is *yes*. Fancy AI features can certainly yield fruit, but they aren't nearly as important as ensuring that a product's basic building blocks don't routinely crap out. ### On AI, Priorities, and Product Development URL: https://www.philsimon.com/priorities/ Last updated: 2026-07-31T09:06:14.000Z Thoughts on ignoring a popular product's glaring weakness to pursue sexy new features. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace Wins 2023 NYC Big Book Award URL: https://www.philsimon.com/project-management-award/ Last updated: 2025-06-29T20:52:12.000Z I'm pleased to announce that my book [*Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/project-management-in-the-hybrid-workplace/) has won [a 2023 NYC Big Book Award Winner in the category of Business - General](https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/2023winners?ref=philsimon.com). It's my fourth book to take home [hardware](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/awards). ### AI and Indolence URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ai-and-indolence/ Last updated: 2025-08-18T21:27:44.000Z A short post on spammers and laziness. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### What I Really Want From AI URL: https://www.philsimon.com/what-i-really-want-from-ai/ Last updated: 2026-07-01T01:41:10.000Z In the name of all that is holy, can someone please invent a better computer diagnostic tool? _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Not Just Hollywood: The Nine Are Coming for You, Too URL: https://www.philsimon.com/not-just-hollywood/ Last updated: 2025-07-25T12:12:20.000Z Thoughts on a few of the powerful forces colliding as we speak. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Outliers URL: https://www.philsimon.com/outliers/ Last updated: 2025-08-03T02:36:05.000Z Thoughts on parallels between emerging technologies from last decade and the WFH debate. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Why I'm All in on Notion URL: https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-notion/ Last updated: 2025-12-19T19:51:17.000Z Over the last few months, swaths of users have been fleeing Evernote. ([Private equity](https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/16/bending-spoons-acquires-evernote-marking-the-end-of-an-era/?ref=philsimon.com), mass layoffs, and price increases tend to do that.) I suspect that many Evernote refugees will wind up in the [Notion](https://notion.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) camp. About 18 months ago, I started noodling with it and quickly fell in love. Notion's UI is ridiculously clean. It's easy to add pages, unlimited subpages, wikis, tasks, subtasks, dependencies, images, databases, [blocks](https://www.philsimon.com/blocks-productivity-future-collaboration/), and much more. (For those of you who think that you can do all of these things in Google Sheets, allow me to disagree. There's a reason the company launched [Tables](https://tables.area120.google.com/u/0/about?ref=philsimon.com) a while back.) Take a look at an anonymized version of a simple project database that I'm using on my current ghostwriting gig: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/book-project-plan-1.jpg) Side note: This experiment ultimately fueled my desire to build and launch [RacketHub](https://www.racketpublishing.com/products/rackethub/?ref=philsimon.com). The Late view is just one that I've created. Along with filters, timelines, Kanban boards, and other views allow everyone on the project to see what they need. (To be fair, Notion isn't a unicorn. Tools like [Coda](https://coda.io/?ref=philsimon.com), [ClickUp](https://clickup.com/?ref=philsimon.com), and [Monday.com](http://monday.com/?ref=philsimon.com) serve similar purposes.) > The $47.99 that I spend each year on it is the easiest tech decision I make. On this project, the team needs to complete about 100 tasks, yet the view above only shows the overdue ones. Hiding future tasks didn't take much effort thanks to Notion's über-useful formulas. I defined Past Due as follows: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/formula-1.jpg) [Conditional logic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conditional%5Fstatement?ref=philsimon.com) at its finest. Note how creating a custom view requires zero coding chops—a key point in [*Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-low-code-no-code/). Citizen developers rejoice. [Why I’m All In on ClaudeIn my last post of the year, I make the case for backing this horse in the AI race.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-183.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/claude-1.png)](https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-all-in-on-claude/) ## Simon Says I can see why Microsoft (via [Loop](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-loop?ref=philsimon.com)) and Salesforce/Slack (via [Canvas](https://slack.com/features/canvas?ref=philsimon.com)) are attempting to ape Notion's robust functionality. No, Notion isn't perfect—[far from it](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/ai/priorities/). Still, the $47.99 that I spend each year on it is the easiest tech decision I make. [My clients](https://www.philsimon.com/services/notion-development/) are starting to agree. ### Power, Prestige TV, and Packages URL: https://www.philsimon.com/power-prestige-tv-packages/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:18.000Z The forces I describe in The Nine continue to collide. Get used to it. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Looking for My Next Ghostwriting Project URL: https://www.philsimon.com/next-ghostwriting-project/ Last updated: 2025-09-11T12:28:03.000Z #### ****Updated:** September 10, 2025 I moved most of the content in this post to [a dedicated services page](https://www.philsimon.com/services-ghostwriting/). Last summer, I began ghostwriting a book for one of my existing clients. Our process evolved, as did our ideas about the text. A few months ago, we finally completed the manuscript. My client was and is ecstatic with the end product. As it turns out, [my ability to simplify technical concepts](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/necessary-reader-confusion/?ref=philsimon.com) and tell stories works in areas outside my sweet spots: workplace tech, collaboration, project management, citizen development, and the future of work. > Any writer who claims to be able to write anything well is arrogant, delusional, or both. We haven't reached the end zone just yet. I immediately donned my project-management hat. I'm spending a good bit of time in [Notion](https://notion.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) these days. [How Not to Start a BookAn absurdly complex 85-word sentence right off the bat all but guarantees crickets, confusion, or both.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-40.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1618616191524-a9721186cbe4)](https://www.philsimon.com/how-not-to-start-a-book/) ## Next Steps Click [here](https://www.philsimon.com/services-ghostwriting/) to learn more about my ghostwriting practice. If you or someone you know is seriously considering writing a proper business or technology book, I'd love to chat. [CONNECT](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) ### On Skiing, Spanish, and AI Hallucinations URL: https://www.philsimon.com/skiing-spanish-ai-hallucinations/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:52:53.000Z I put the buzzy new chatbot Claude to the test. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 81: Build a Better Business Book With Josh Bernoff URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-81-josh-bernoff/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T19:14:34.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/bernoff-2.jpg) My friend [Josh Bernoff](https://withoutbullshit.com/?ref=philsimon.com) returns today to talk about his excellent new release, [*Build a Better Business Book: How to Plan, Write, and Promote a Book That Matters*](https://www.amazon.com/Build-Better-Business-Book-Comprehensive-ebook/dp/B0C4M8QQ82?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). ### Overcoming FOBE and the Multi-Tool Problem URL: https://www.philsimon.com/overcoming-fobe/ Last updated: 2025-08-04T21:39:42.000Z You may use a variety of low-code/no-code apps. Think about ways to track them cohesively. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Low-Code Lessons From My Website Overhaul URL: https://www.philsimon.com/low-code-lessons-website-overhaul/ Last updated: 2025-07-03T00:01:23.000Z Thoughts on spaghetti architecture, citizen developers, subtraction, and simplicity. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 80: Saying No With Dr. Vanessa Patrick URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-80-vanessa-patrick/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T21:33:05.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/dvp-1.jpg) Dr. Vanessa Patrick joins me today. We talk about her new book [*The Power of Saying No: The New Science of How to Say No That Puts You in Charge of Your Life*](https://www.amazon.com/Power-Saying-No-Science-Charge/dp/1728251524?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). ### AI Is Everywhere URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ai-is-everywhere/ Last updated: 2025-08-06T15:25:42.000Z The hype cycle is on overdrive. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Episode 79: No-Code in the Enteprise With Teresa Cintra URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-79-teresa-cintra/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T19:14:34.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/teresa-cintra-1.jpg) [Teresa Cintra](https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresacintra/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me. She is the country manager at [ncScale](https://www.ncscale.com/?ref=philsimon.com). We talk about LC/NC tools, Airtable, Netflix, and *Anchorman*. It turns out that low-code/no-code is [kind of a big deal](https://www.philsimon.com/kind-of-a-big-deal/). ### Book Review: Wonder Boy URL: https://www.philsimon.com/book-review-wonder-boy/ Last updated: 2025-06-30T02:24:38.000Z A look at the life and times of one of the era's most ambitious entrepreneurs. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Forces Are Colliding URL: https://www.philsimon.com/forces-are-colliding/ Last updated: 2025-06-30T02:27:48.000Z Moonlighting in the age of AI. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Collaboration, AI, and the Long Game URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thoughts-on-large-language-models-ai/ Last updated: 2025-06-30T02:27:39.000Z Thoughts on giving people a pass. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Nine: Audiobook Updates URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-nine-audiobook-updates/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T18:23:23.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/nine-1.jpg) We're [*finally*](https://youtu.be/-IdkYuxzcD0?t=342&ref=philsimon.com) live on [Audible](https://tinyurl.com/nine-audio-ps?ref=philsimon.com). The audiobook version should be live just about everywhere else by now. Also, Amazon has added the Audible tab to the main book page: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/audible-1.jpg) Happy listening. ### Employee Empowerment and Pity City URL: https://www.philsimon.com/employee-empowerment-and-pity-city/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:19.000Z Times have changed, but MillerKnoll CEO Andi Owen never got the memo. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Publication of The Nine URL: https://www.philsimon.com/publication-the-nine/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T21:17:14.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/1103-confetti-outline-3.gif) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/the-9-grouping-axiom-jpeg-6.jpg) I am pleased to announce the publication of *The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace.* I believe that it's my best work to date. Check out the trailer, praise, and a few excerpts on [the book's main page](https://www.philsimon.com/books/the-nine). As of now, the paperback and Kindle versions are up on Amazon. Google Play dropped the other day. The hardcover and audiobook versions should arrive later this month. It just takes a bit of time. I hope that you'll check it out. Tuffy digs it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/tuffy-large-jpeg-1.jpg) ### Episode 78: The Empathy Advantage With Chris Shipley URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-78-chris-shipley/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T19:14:35.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/shipley-1.jpg) [Chris Shipley](https://www.cshipley.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me today. We talk about four-day workweeks, pandemic-based relocation, and her new book [*The Empathy Advantage*](https://www.amazon.com/Empathy-Advantage-Leading-Empowered-Workforce-ebook/dp/B0BXBM6MJ5/?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). ### Custom Editions of The Nine Available URL: https://www.philsimon.com/custom-editions-the-nine-available/ Last updated: 2025-10-18T23:11:43.000Z As I've done with my last three [books](https://www.philsimon.com/books), I'm offering bespoke editions of *The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace*. ## Process Executives agree with the general message of the book, but they want to put their own spin on it. As such, they'll want to give copies to their employees, prospects, and customers. (Stress balls and USB drives are so 2010.) They’ll do this by writing four- to five-page forewords with their individual takes on the fascinating future of work and what their organization is doing to prepare. Ideally, their takes align nicely with the core themes of *The Nine*. What’s more, the exec’s name and title will adorn the cover of the bespoke version of the book. Finally, the organization’s logo can also go on the cover, probably in the upper or lower right-hand corner. It would look something like this: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/custom-4.png) ## Target Audiences I can envision several homes for bespoke versions of my book. In no particular order: - Consulting firms. - Colleges and universities. - Think tanks. - Membership organizations, such as [SHRM](https://shrm.org/?ref=philsimon.com). - Service providers. - Software vendors. - Conference organizers who want to provide attendees with a bespoke version of the book, especially if I'm [speaking](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking) at the event. ## Other Logistics I'll start with the paperback version. At the risk of stating the obvious, these versions will cost far less than their hardcover counterparts—although both are on the table. To make the per-unit price cost-effective, an organization will need to purchase no fewer than 200 copies. Larger orders will drop the per-unit price considerably. If we hit 1,000, then the number really plummets. Oh, and copies—no matter how many—do not include rights to the book's intellectual property. That stays with me. As for the hardcover, the price is higher, as is the order minimum, and the time to produce them will be longer—about 90 days as of now. [LET'S DO THIS](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) ### Episode 77: Audio Excerpt From The Nine URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-77-audio-excerpt-from-the-nine/ Last updated: 2025-07-22T19:40:08.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/nine3d-4.png) Enjoy a 13-minute preview of my forthcoming book, [*The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/the-nine/). Props to my narrator [Jonathan Yen](https://www.thatnyvoiceguy.com/?ref=philsimon.com). ### Excerpt From The Nine URL: https://www.philsimon.com/excerpt-from-the-nine/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:56:55.000Z Here's an excerpt from the new book. In it, I discuss ChatGPT and the growth of generative AI. ### Reimagining Collaboration Wins Axiom Award URL: https://www.philsimon.com/reimagining-collaboration-axiom-award/ Last updated: 2025-07-29T22:31:21.000Z *Reimagining Collaboration* has won [the Axiom Silver medal for Business Technology](https://web.archive.org/web/20230327085938/https://axiomawards.com/93/2023-medalists). It previously won a [2021 International Book Award](https://web.archive.org/web/20220210200736/http://www.internationalbookawards.com/2021awardannouncement.html) in the Business Communications/Public Relations category. It's my third Axiom. *Message Not Received* and *The Age of the Platform* also won awards. ### Trailer for The Nine URL: https://www.philsimon.com/trailer-for-the-nine/ Last updated: 2025-06-22T23:53:59.000Z Here's the trailer for [*The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/the-nine)*.* Hat tip to rockstar [Stephanie Welch](https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephbrown/?ref=philsimon.com). ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. [BUY ON AMAZON](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRTHYMKH?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com) ### Episode 76: The Good Enough Job With Simone Stolzoff URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-76-simone-stolzoff/ Last updated: 2025-07-23T18:13:05.000Z [Simone Stolzoff](https://www.simonestolzoff.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me to talk about his new book [*The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work*](https://www.amazon.com/Good-Enough-Job-Reclaiming-Life/dp/059353896X?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). We discuss unions, Kickstarter, trust, and much more. ### Can ChatGPT improve collaboration? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/can-chatgpt-improve-collaboration/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:20.000Z My head is spinning with possibilities. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Following the AI Money URL: https://www.philsimon.com/following-the-ai-money/ Last updated: 2025-08-26T21:16:31.000Z A tried-and-true rule of thumb suggests that big things are on the horizon. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### From Big to Small URL: https://www.philsimon.com/from-big-to-small/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:20.000Z Layoffs are all the rage these days. Microsoft, [Zoom](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/07/zoom-to-lay-off-1300-employees-or-about-15percent-of-its-workforce.html?ref=philsimon.com), [Amazon](https://www.vox.com/recode/2023/1/19/23562702/amazon-layoffs-andy-jassy-day-2-alexa?ref=philsimon.com), Meta, and Salesforce are just some of the companies that have let go of thousands of employees. Yet the labor market remains white hot. Unemployment is [3.4 percent](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf?ref=philsimon.com). It's a question that I consider in [*The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/the-nine/)*.* Why? Lots of things are at play, but here's a biggie. Small business growth over the past three years has been phenomenal, but don't believe me. Since February 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics [Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey](https://www.bls.gov/jlt?ref=philsimon.com) reports that firms with fewer than 250 employees have hired 3.67 million *more* people than they’ve lost. That number starkly contrasts with larger businesses that employ 250 individuals or more. As a whole, the latter group has trimmed 800,000 net jobs during this three-year period. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/8-2.jpg) This trend bodes well for [fractional CFOs](https://www.forbes.com/sites/melissahouston/2021/09/21/is-your-business-ready-for-a-fractional-cfo/?sh=46ea69a9783b&ref=philsimon.com) like [Ken Weil](https://www.consultyourcfo.com/?ref=philsimon.com). Ditto for CIOs and chief legal counsels. [Phil Simon: Is your organization embracing interactive dataviz tools?New interactive data-visualization tools allow for greater insights and help overcome the IT-business divide.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/cropped-newlogo-151.png)Phil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/biggest_companies.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/data/interactive-data-visualization-tools/) ## Simon Says Smaller firms are exactly the types that benefit from locking in part-time experts as they confront new challenges. ### Why I Don't Write With ChatGPT URL: https://www.philsimon.com/why-i-dont-write-with-chatgpt/ Last updated: 2025-07-28T01:23:19.000Z Thoughts on the generative AI tool that's taking the world by storm. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Looking for Case Studies for My Next Book URL: https://www.philsimon.com/nine-case-studies/ Last updated: 2025-07-25T02:00:02.000Z A few days ago, I announced [the upcoming publication of *The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace*](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/future-of-work/announcing-my-next-book/). The writing and research are going smoothly, and it's time for my regular post to solicit case studies. Make no mistake: Case studies matter and all of my books contain them. You have to show before you tell, right? For the new book, I'm particularly interested in organizations that have used robotic process automation and blockchain technologies in interesting ways. One disclaimer: I insist upon providing a draft of the case study write-up prior for your review before the book's publication. If approving the final copy will involve 18 revisions with your employer's PR folks or legal department, however, then we should probably pass. I'm not a fan of bottlenecks. [On AI, Priorities, and Product DevelopmentThoughts on ignoring a popular product’s glaring weakness to pursue sexy new features.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-34.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1706466614149-5e04fd018a49)](https://www.philsimon.com/priorities/) If this sounds interesting, let's chat. [CONNECT](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) ### Announcing Book #14 URL: https://www.philsimon.com/announcing-book-14/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T18:44:15.000Z I have got some news on my next opus. Here are the deets. As COVID-19 has receded, companies such as Apple, Amazon, Google, Salesforce, and Twitter have severely restricted or even eliminated remote work. Ditto for countless, less iconic firms and small businesses. At a high level, executives and managers at these organizations are trying to turn back the clock to 2019. There's just one problem, though: For a bevy of reasons, they won’t succeed. In many ways, the workplace of 2023 *already* differs from its pre-pandemic counterpart. In some cases, it's downright unrecognizable. What’s more, this gap will only intensify in the coming years. Blame—or thank, if you like—powerful economic, societal, geopolitical, and technological forces. They include generative AI, automation, dispersed workforces, blockchain, immersive technologies, employee empowerment, and the return of systemic inflation. Brass tacks: The workplace is undergoing a massive, irrevocable shift. The only question for business leaders is, What should you do about it? > The workplace of 2023 already differs from its pre-pandemic counterpart. In *The Nine: The Tectonic Forces Reshaping the Workplace*, I answer that question in spades. I peer into the dizzying and chaotic future of work. In the process, I slice through the hype surrounding nascent trends and newfangled technologies. Insightful, timely, and essential, *The Nine* clearly explains what’s really happening, why, and how business leaders can navigate the dramatically different workplace of the future. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/nine3d_comp-1-3.png) *The Nine* will be the fourth installment in [my series on the future of work](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNY5ML8J?binding=paperback&ref=dbs%5Fdp%5Frwt%5Fsb%5Fpc%5Ftpbk). You can [pre-order the e-book now on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRTHYMKH?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). (Yes, paperback and hardcover versions are coming.) Note that the current pub date is not realistic—but in a good way. I suspect that, just like *[Low-Code/No-Code](https://www.philsimon.com/books/low-code-no-code/)*, it will drop much earlier. (The initial pub date was February 1, 2023 but it dropped four months earlier. #moderationissues) Look for *The Nine* in early May or June of this year. Props as always to my cover designer [Luke Fletcher](https://www.fletcherdesigns.com/?ref=philsimon.com). [PRE-ORDER KINDLE VERSION](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRTHYMKH?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com) ### Korean and Chinese Translations of Low-Code/No-Code Coming URL: https://www.philsimon.com/korean-chinese-translations-of-low-code-no-code-coming/ Last updated: 2025-08-04T00:20:21.000Z ### Updated: April 3, 2024 I'm pleased to announce that [*Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications*](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking/popular-topics/low-code-no-code/)will be coming to South Korea ([Hanbit Media](https://www.hanbit.co.kr/publisher/index.html?lang=e&ref=philsimon.com)) and China ([China Science and Technology Press](https://www.nhbs.com/shop/publisher/china-science-technology-press?ref=philsimon.com)). Mad props to the folks at [Dropcap](https://dropcap.com/?ref=philsimon.com) for making the deals happen. Interestingly, the book is my third title in Korean. [*The Age of the Platform*](https://www.philsimon.com/the-age-of-the-platform-korean-edition/) and [*Too Big to Ignore*](https://www.philsimon.com/korean-version-big-ignore/) are the others. China still leads the Unofficial Phil Simon Book Translation Olympics with four. I suspect that more translations of the new book are on the way, specifically in Europe. Looks like I learned a few things about [author marketing](https://www.notion.com/templates/the-author-flywheel?ref=philsimon.com) over the years. ### Episode 75: Citizen Development at Scale With Amtrak's Michael McCullough URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-75-michael-mccullough/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T21:13:02.000Z [Michael McCullough](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcculloughmd/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me today. He’s the Citizen Development Business Architect at Amtrak. We talk about low-code, training, governance, Microsoft's Power Platform, and the challenges of running one of the world’s largest citizen development departments. ### On ChatGPT, Duplicability, and Citizen Development URL: https://www.philsimon.com/chatgpt-duplicability-citizen-development/ Last updated: 2025-08-03T02:37:05.000Z Thoughts on the AI tool that's all the rage today. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Is There a Difference Between Citizen Developers and Subject Matter Experts? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/subject-matter-experts-citizen-developers/ Last updated: 2025-08-03T02:41:32.000Z The future of software development will look quite a bit different than its past. In a sentence, that's the premise of [*Low-Code/No-Code*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/low-code-no-code/). Of course, there's quite a bit more happening in the world of software development. So says 40-year industry vet [Richard Campbell](https://www.linkedin.com/in/richjcampbell/?ref=philsimon.com) in his excellent and expansive talk on the subject. Campbell covers a great deal of ground in his fascinating talk, and I found myself agreeing with him most of the time. (I certainly learned a few things to boot.) ## Enter the Citizen Developer About 30 minutes in, he addresses the low-code/no-code movement. Interestingly, Campbell doesn't like the term *citizen developer*. He prefers to label these folks as *domain experts*. Tomato, tom-ah-to, right? Allow me to channel my inner Larry David. [Eh](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htS2zKhTXvI&ref=philsimon.com). Yes, many citizen developers: - Come from functional areas of the business. (More [here](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/lc-nc/characteristics-of-the-modern-citizen-developer/).) - Have amassed a great deal of knowledge about their domains. > Until we invent a better term, I’m sticking with citizen developer. No argument here. Still, it's folly to assume that *every* lawyer, small business owner, marketing director, and other non-developer will start building his or her own apps. Plenty of [subject matter experts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subject-matter%5Fexpert?ref=philsimon.com) don't want to get their hands dirty—and that's fine. The low-code/no-code po-po won't come knocking on their door. What's more, as I discovered while researching the book, an increasing number of citizen developers lack deep domain expertise. (Here is [my pod](https://www.philsimon.com/episode-72-avi-hercenberg-chaya-gutnick/) with two of them.) They just like building apps, improving broken processes, and automating manual tasks. Since I like charts: ![](https://i.imgur.com/kXyAECi.gif) 🎧 Listen to an audio version of this article on [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ordgizvyl5ADWlUhyB4ps?ref=philsimon.com) or [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/short-form-with-phil-simon/id1655239223?ref=philsimon.com). [Phil Simon: The Case for a Regular Tech AuditI’ll take the benefits of curiosity over the costs of problem-solving.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/cropped-newlogo-197.png)Phil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/audit-4.png)](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/technology/tech-audit/) ## Simon Says Until we invent a better term, I'm sticking with citizen developer. ### On Amoeba and Notion URL: https://www.philsimon.com/on-amoeba-and-notion/ Last updated: 2025-10-14T14:10:23.000Z Low-code and no-code tools don't fall neatly into a single category. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Thoughts on Citizen Developers and Author Choices URL: https://www.philsimon.com/citizen-developers-and-author-choices/ Last updated: 2025-08-18T23:26:08.000Z Why I specifically avoided a few key topics in the new book. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Characteristics of the Modern Citizen Developer URL: https://www.philsimon.com/characteristics-of-the-modern-citizen-developer/ Last updated: 2025-07-07T22:01:50.000Z A quick infographic to answer Seinfeld's immortal question, Who are these people? _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Excerpt From Low-Code/No-Code URL: https://www.philsimon.com/excerpt-low-code-no-code/ Last updated: 2025-08-29T02:49:28.000Z Enjoy Chapter 1 from my forthcoming opus. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Custom Editions of Low-Code/No-Code Available URL: https://www.philsimon.com/custom-editions-low-code-no-code/ Last updated: 2025-08-22T18:02:00.000Z When *Reimagining Collaboration* dropped, I decided to offer [custom versions of the book](https://www.philsimon.com/custom-editions-of-reimagining-collaboration-available/). Today, I'm pleased to be announcing the same with *Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications.* Here’s how it would work. Executives agree with the general message of the book. Still, they want to put their own spin on it and give it to their employees, prospects, and/or customers. (Maybe as gifts. Better than [bees](https://youtu.be/5J2kc4oZTVU?t=15&ref=philsimon.com), right?) They’ll do this by writing four- to five-page forewords with their individual takes on the fascinating future of work and what their organization is doing to prepare. Ideally, their takes align nicely with the core themes of *Low-Code/No-Code*. What’s more, the exec's name and title will adorn the cover of this version of the book. Finally, the organization’s logo can also go on the cover, probably in the upper or lower right-hand corner. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/07/custom.png) Very basic mock-up of cover. ## Target Audiences I can envision several different homes for bespoke versions of my book. In no particular order: - Consulting firms. - Staffing firms. - Service providers. - Low-code/no-code startups and established vendors. - Conferences whose organizers want to reward attendees with a bespoke version of the book. - Code academies. [Is There a Difference Between Citizen Developers and Subject Matter Experts?In this post, I answer this question.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-129.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/venndiagram-1-1.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/subject-matter-experts-citizen-developers/) ## Other Logistics I'll start with the paperback version. At the risk of stating the obvious, versions will cost far less than their hardcover counterparts—although both are on the table. To make the per-unit price cost-effective, an organization will need to purchase no fewer than 200 copies. Larger orders will drop the per-unit price considerably. If we hit 1,000, then the number really plummets. Oh, and copies—no matter how many—do not include rights to the book's intellectual property. That stays with me. > I can envision a number of different homes for bespoke versions of this book. As for the hardcover, the price is more expensive, the order minimum is higher, and the time to produce them will be longer—about 90 days as of now. [LET'S DO THIS](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) ### What's the Difference Between Low-Code and No-Code Tools? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/difference-between-low-code-and-no-code-tools/ Last updated: 2025-08-26T21:09:28.000Z A short video on essential definitions. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 74: Audio Excerpt From Low-Code/No-Code URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-74/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:59:38.000Z Here's an audio excerpt from my new book [*Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications*](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B9R48W99/ref=dbs%5Fa%5Fdef%5Frwt%5Fbibl%5Fvppi%5Fi0?ref=philsimon.com)*.* ### How to Switch LC/NC Vendors URL: https://www.philsimon.com/low-code-breakup/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T20:08:25.000Z Thoughts on saying goodbye to one and hello to another. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 73: Building a No-Code Company With Jon Darbyshire URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-73-jon-darbyshire/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T20:07:25.000Z Jon Darbyshire joins me today. He’s the CEO and co-founder of [SmartSuite](https://www.smartsuite.com/?ref=philsimon.com). We talk about efficiency, automation, how he started his company, Notion, VC funding, and whether we’ll ultimately all wind up using a single app. --- ### Publication of Low-Code/No-Code URL: https://www.philsimon.com/publication-low-code/ Last updated: 2025-06-30T02:16:29.000Z I am pleased to announce that [*Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/low-code-no-code/)is out. So far, I'm just seeing it on [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BL2RTFQQ?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). The other dominoes should start falling shortly. The paperback is up now, the ebook is coming on November 4th, and [the hardcover is now up](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BL61TRWC?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). Based on my interactions, pre-sales, and the number of inquiries for [custom editions](https://www.philsimon.com/custom-editions-low-code-no-code/) and bulk orders, number 13 is striking a nerve. Pre-orders for the Kindle edition have been strong: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/prettygood-2.jpg) It's not hard to understand why. LC/NC tools—like [the one that runs this website](https://www.philsimon.com/blocks-productivity-future-collaboration/)—are exploding. Citizen development is gaining momentum. ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Against this backdrop, *Low-Code/No-Code* has arrived at the perfect time. [The book's endorsements](https://www.philsimon.com/books/low-code-no-code/#praise2) are humbling. At the risk of being immodest, it is an invaluable treasure trove of insightful analysis, synthesis, examples, and advice. It's the third in my three-book series on the future of work. I hope that you'll check it out. [BUY KINDLE VERSION](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9R48W99/?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com) ### The Virtuous Cycle of Citizen Developers URL: https://www.philsimon.com/virtuous-cycle-citizen-developers/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T21:00:36.000Z Virtuous cycles are powerful things. They also go by the monikers network effects and flywheels. In a nutshell, growth begets further growth. It worked for Facebook, YouTube, Amazon, Uber, and scores of other companies, although not always to society's benefit. (Hello, [Zuck](https://www.npr.org/2021/10/05/1043377310/facebook-whistleblower-frances-haugen-congress?ref=philsimon.com).) In this short video, I explain the momentum behind citizen development. And, no, you won't find this video on TikTok. [PRE-ORDER THE KINDLE VERSION OF LC/NC](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9R48W99/?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com) ### Episode 72: Making No-Code Happen With Chaya Gutnick and Avi Hercenberg URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-72-avi-hercenberg-chaya-gutnick/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T21:01:45.000Z [Chaya Gutnick](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chayagutnick/?ref=philsimon.com) and [Avi Hercenberg](https://www.linkedin.com/in/avihercenberg/?ref=philsimon.com) join me to talk about the staggering amount of choice in the LC/NC world. Other topics include consulting, enterprise systems, HubSpot, Apple, [SmartSuite](https://smartsuite.grsm.io/h0rr4y8glecv?ref=philsimon.com), and supply chains. --- ### Book Trailer for Low-Code/No-Code URL: https://www.philsimon.com/trailer-low-code-no-code/ Last updated: 2025-07-12T21:22:42.000Z I have done trailers for my other books, so why stop now? Enjoy a quick video on my forthcoming opus. [PRE-ORDER THE KINDLE VERSION OF LC/NC](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9R48W99/?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com) ### Kind of a Big Deal URL: https://www.philsimon.com/kind-of-a-big-deal/ Last updated: 2025-07-12T21:26:52.000Z "In God we trust. All others must bring data." —William Edwards Deming When I began researching [the new book](https://www.philsimon.com/books/low-code-no-code/), I knew that low-code/no-code tools had started to gain acceptance. [Ten-billion-dollar valuations](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-13/airtable-scores-11-7-billion-valuation-plans-europe-expansion?ref=philsimon.com) tend to validate a market. At the same time, though, I doubted that they had gone mainstream. Yet. To further verify my assumption, I launched an informal poll on a LinkedIn project-management group. It received 60 responses before the moderators inexplicably removed it. Despite its limited shelf-life, the decidedly unscientific results supported my initial hypothesis: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/poll-2.jpg) Informal LinkedIn Poll Of course, the adoption of every new tech is uneven. (Cue [Gibson quote](https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/681-the-future-is-already-here-it-s-just-not-evenly?ref=philsimon.com).) LC/NC has arrived in earnest, and it's *already* [kind of a big deal](https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-02-15-gartner-forecasts-worldwide-low-code-development-technologies-market-to-grow-23-percent-in-2021?ref=philsimon.com). ![](https://media3.giphy.com/media/qeCKyofbKetggOnOv5/giphy.gif?cid=790b761197be1648738a46aaab56aa25dcc8034ae5d3868b&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g) After writing the book, I know now why. ## Simon Says Today's LC/NC tools are an order of magnitude more powerful, extensible, user-friendly, and affordable than their predecessors. All sorts of organizations are already putting them to good use. I think that you'll find the case studies in *Low-Code/No-Code* particularly instructive. [BUY THE BOOK](https://linktr.ee/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) ### Low-Code/No-Code Table of Contents URL: https://www.philsimon.com/low-code-no-code-table-of-contents/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T21:02:17.000Z *Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications* is progressing well. The design is finished and we'll be indexing soon. Here's the ToC. [PRE-ORDER KINDLE VERSION](https://tinyurl.com/2zglozkp?ref=philsimon.com) ### Episode 71: Intelligent Automation With Josh Snow URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-71-josh-snow/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:13.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/josh-jpeg-1.jpg) Josh Snow from [SupportDept](https://supportdept.io/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me. We talk about automation, Airtable, teaching yourself new tools, how to improve business processes, and sleep. --- ### Professional Scribes vs. Amateur Writers URL: https://www.philsimon.com/professional-scribes-vs-amateur-writers/ Last updated: 2025-07-20T15:37:34.000Z Thoughts on how these two groups approach the craft of penning a book. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 70: Geeking Out in Notion With Jenny Blake URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-70-jenny-blake/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:14.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/jennyblake-1.jpg) [](https://itsfreetime.com/?ref=philsimon.com)[Jenny Blake](https://itsfreetime.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me. Her new book is *[Free Time: Lose The Busywork, Love Your Business](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1800751451?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com)*. We talk about tech tuition, [Notion](https://notion.grsm.io/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com), the importance of documentation, automation, [yachts](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/07/25/the-haves-and-the-have-yachts?ref=philsimon.com), and other cool stuff. --- ### Looking to Profile a Few Citizen Developers for the New Book URL: https://www.philsimon.com/profile-citizen-developers/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T21:03:16.000Z Yesterday I announced my forthcoming book [*Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/low-code-no-code/)*.* The writing is moving quickly and I'm on track to hit my pub date. Evidently, I'm on to something here. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/denise-2.jpg) One of the chapters involves the people who are using this increasingly powerful set of tools. To that end, I’m looking to profile a few [citizen developers](https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/citizen-developer?ref=philsimon.com) in one of the chapters. [Connect with me](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) if you’re open to a profile. ### Updated: September 14, 2022 Thanks to all who responded. The new book will contain quotes, sidebars, and examples from a dozen citizen developers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/cubesag-2.gif) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/3d2-min-14.jpg) ### Announcing My 13th Book URL: https://www.philsimon.com/13th-book-low-code/ Last updated: 2025-08-18T01:01:21.000Z #### ****Updated: October 31, 2022** Interest in this one is particularly strong. As a result, I'm moving the release date up again. Expect it by November 10th or so. I've got news. I'm dropping a new book early next year. Here's the skinny. For decades, our relationship with workplace technology has been, in a word, *complicated*. The pandemic only made it more so. The stats are astonishing. Two in three employers [cannot find qualified candidates to fill their open IT positions](https://www.pmi.org/citizen-developer?ref=philsimon.com). By 2024, [the deficit of software developers in the US alone will hit 500,000](https://www.forrester.com/report/How-To-Harness-Citizen-Developers-To-Expand-Your-ADD-Capacity/RES135701?ref=philsimon.com). Supply and demand for techies are out of whack and, most alarmingly, there's no end in sight. The effects of this labor market imbalance are profound and difficult to overstate. Nearly three in four technology leaders [cannot focus on their strategic priorities](https://www.salesforce.com/content/dam/web/en%5Fus/www/assets/pdf/platform/salesforce-research-enterprise-technology-trends.pdf?ref=philsimon.com). Countless other firms, departments, teams, and leaders have struggled because IT can’t deliver the tools they so desperately need. Adding salt to the wound, business units now need new applications to address the logistical challenges posed by pervasive remote and hybrid work. Organizations today are at a crossroads. They need to solve these thorny tech problems. Now. But how? > Supply and demand for techies are out of whack and, most alarmingly, there's no end in sight. In *Low-Code/No-Code: Citizen Developers and the Surprising Future of Business Applications*, I square this circle. My thirteenth release deftly illustrates how, thanks to [powerful new tools](https://www.philsimon.com/blocks-productivity-future-collaboration/) and a new breed of employees, organizations are finally fulfilling critical business needs and reducing their reliance on pricey software developers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/cubesag-3.gif) *Low-Code/No-Code* is an invaluable treasure trove of insightful analysis, synthesis, examples, and advice. At the risk of being immodest, it will be arriving at the perfect time, but you can pre-order the Kindle version now. The physical book will be available for pre-order in December. Massive props as usual to my friend and über-talented cover designer [Luke Fletcher](https://www.fletcherdesigns.com/?ref=philsimon.com). [PRE-ORDER THE KINDLE VERSION](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9R48W99/?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com) ### Episode 69: Next-Level Slack With Christine McHone URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-69-christine-mchone/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T21:06:14.000Z [Christine McHone](https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinemchone/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me today. She's a Slack Capability Leader at [Slalom](https://www.slalom.com/?ref=philsimon.com), a management consulting firm. We geek out on Slack, organizational change, and flexible work. ### Episode 68: Covering the Workplace With Lizzy Lawrence URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-68-lizzy-lawrence/ Last updated: 2025-08-04T22:35:05.000Z [Lizzy Lawrence of Protocol](https://web.archive.org/web/20210326100003/https://www.protocol.com/) joins me. She covers tools and productivity in the workplace. We talk about productivity, Slack, Canva, Gen Z, organizational change, and other cool stuff. --- ### Cluelessness in Virginia URL: https://www.philsimon.com/cluelessness-in-virginia/ Last updated: 2025-07-06T18:47:59.000Z The pendulum has swung towards employees. LinkedIn management understands as much, but one governor never got the memo. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Custom Editions of Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace Now Available URL: https://www.philsimon.com/custom-editions-project-management-in-the-hybrid-workplace/ Last updated: 2025-06-29T20:54:03.000Z Much like with *Reimagining Collaboration*, I've decided to make bespoke versions of *Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace* available. ## Target Audiences I can envision a number of different homes for bespoke versions of my book. In no particular order: - Upscale furniture outlets such as [Steelcase](https://www.steelcase.com/?ref=philsimon.com), Haworth, ELEMENTS, HNI Corporation, Inscape, Officescapes, and Herman Miller. For the most part, these companies are smartly [leaning in to the WFH phenomenon](https://www.hermanmiller.com/work-from-home/?ref=philsimon.com). With respect to my book, the opportunity here is two-fold. Employees could receive books as gifts. As for consumers, I could also see them as throw-ins with qualified purchases or salable products with SKUs. - FedexKinko's, UPS Stores, Staples, OfficeDepot, and their ilk. - Co-working spaces. - Book-subscription services, particularly those aimed at business audiences. - Business book clubs. - Business groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce. - Hotels. - Companies that specialize in [corporate gifts and swag](https://www.wsj.com/articles/gifting-as-a-service-companies-want-to-rid-the-world-of-unused-corporate-swag-11618999201?ref=philsimon.com). - Conferences, even if I'm not [speaking](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking) at them. - HR think tanks such as [SHRM](https://www.shrm.org/?ref=philsimon.com). Members could receive as physical copies as part of their annual dues. - Universities, especially for exec-education programs. - HR consulting outfits such as Mercer and Deloitte. - [Prefab office manufacturers](https://www.dwell.com/article/prefab-home-office-accessory-dwelling-units-efab1374?ref=philsimon.com). > I can envision a number of different homes for bespoke versions of this book. Here's a crude mock-up: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/bespoke-3.jpg) ## Other Logistics At the risk of stating the obvious, paperback versions will cost far less than their hardcover counterparts—although both are on the table. To make the per-unit price cost-effective, an organization will need to purchase no fewer than 200 copies. Larger orders will drop the per-unit price considerably. If we hit 1,000, then the number really plummets. Oh, and copies—no matter how many—do not include rights to the book's intellectual property. That stays with me. [LET'S DO THIS](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) ### Why Office Mandates—Even From Petulant Billionaires—Won't Fly URL: https://www.philsimon.com/office-mandates-musk/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:22.000Z Thoughts on Tesla, Twilio, and proximity bias. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Publication of Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace URL: https://www.philsimon.com/publication-project-management-in-the-hybrid-workplace/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T23:33:04.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/image-19.png) I am pleased to announce that *Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace* is now available for purchase. Why give it a read? Lots of reasons, but here's a biggie. As I'm well aware, the existing canon of PM books is substantial. Still, the vast majority of [the 60,000 or so texts on the topic](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=%22project+management%22&i=stripbooks&s=relevanceexprank&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.x=46&Adv-Srch-Books-Submit.y=13&unfiltered=1&ref=sr%5Fadv%5Fb) dropped pre-COVID. The pandemic changed many things—not the least of which are where, how, when, and why we work. Those ships have long sailed. What's more, to put it mildly, [we weren't that good at managing projects and launching new projects when we all met in person and worked synchronously](https://teamstage.io/project-management-statistics/?ref=philsimon.com). I have written what I believe is a timely, relevant, interesting, and jargon-free text about a vital topic. I also think that it's my best book to date, and I hope you'll consider checking it out. Note that this is the second in [a four-book series](https://www.philsimon.com/books/) on the future of work. *Reimagining Collaboration* was the first. [BUY BOOK](https://www.amazon.com/Project-Management-Hybrid-Workplace-Simon/dp/B0B1S3V2J8/ref=tmm%5Fpap%5Fswatch%5F0?%5Fencoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=&ref=philsimon.com) ### Episode 67: Building a Second Brain With Tiago Forte URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-67-tiago-forte/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T21:06:05.000Z [Tiago Forte](https://fortelabs.co/?ref=philsimon.com) is one productive dude. He joins me to talk about his new book [*Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential*](https://www.amazon.com/Building-Second-Brain-Organize-Potential-ebook/dp/B09LVVN9L3/ref=sr%5F1%5F1?keywords=Building+a+Second+Brain&qid=1655751749&s=digital-text&sr=1-1?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). Legos, productivity, pencils, and metadata are also on the docket. ### Episode 66: Project Leadership With Anh Dao Pham URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-66-anh-dao-pham/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T21:05:32.000Z [Anh Dao Pham](https://glueleaders.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me. She is a VP of Product & Program Management at Edmunds. We talk about her book [*Glue: How Project Leaders Create Cohesive, Engaged, High-Performing Teams*](https://www.amazon.com/Glue-Project-Leaders-Cohesive-High-Performing/dp/1722505338?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). ### Episode 65: Audio Excerpt From Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-65-pmhw-excerpt/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T21:05:52.000Z My new book *Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace* drops on June 15 of this year. For now, enjoy an excerpt from the audiobook. My narrator [Gary Bennett](https://www.garybennettreads.com/?ref=philsimon.com) again hits it out of the park. Pre-order the book [here](https://tinyurl.com/PMHWPS?ref=philsimon.com). It should be up for pre-order as an audiobook within two weeks, give or take. [Buy the book](https://www.amazon.com/Project-Management-Hybrid-Workplace-Simon-ebook/dp/B09X22LL4W/ref=tmm%5Fkin%5Fswatch%5F0?%5Fencoding=UTF8&dib%5Ftag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Me%5FilENJDLQGC8w9VhOFm9L-x4Yd4Ion444jK4jn2unuJt-f09J1uJ6dnBPdHrbojr0juVubLmApOCOtPm5vVHQ4NILcGkbgi3V6HGBZ59or%5FuDBpOT5KYRhv6NoT-6x6tXsMNyz%5Fd7w9fRN36pWJtcujjSvPlCGogQkyGk%5FWJpDrwY3ud0%5FfOQ4EEMZiWqu.3UEo6Ip%5Fe1fHsSe%5FMR53ChwnK185CugA9A4GGnUPUbk&qid=1749936501&sr=8-1&ref=philsimon.com) ### Excerpt From Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace URL: https://www.philsimon.com/excerpt-project-management-in-the-hybrid-workplace/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T23:33:50.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/pmhwformats-3.png) Below is an excerpt of my new baby *Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace.* In it, I set the table for the rest of the book. ### Episode 64: Team-Level Agreements and How the Future Works With Brian Elliott URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-64-brian-elliott/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T21:14:44.000Z [Brian Elliott](https://twitter.com/brianpelliott?ref=philsimon.com), Executive Leader of the [Future Forum](https://futureforum.com/?ref=philsimon.com), joins me again. This time, we talk about his new book [*How the Future Works: Leading Flexible Teams To Do The Best Work of Their Lives*](https://www.amazon.com/How-Future-Works-Leading-Flexible/dp/111987095X?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). We also discuss team-level agreements, hybrid work, and the need for experiments. ### Book Trailer for Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace URL: https://www.philsimon.com/trailer-project-management-in-the-hybrid-workplace/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T21:06:56.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/pmhwformats-4.png) I'm a big believer in book trailers and explainer videos. To that end, here's the latest for my new baby *Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace.* [Buy the book](https://www.amazon.com/Project-Management-Hybrid-Workplace-Simon-ebook/dp/B09X22LL4W/ref=tmm%5Fkin%5Fswatch%5F0?%5Fencoding=UTF8&dib%5Ftag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Me%5FilENJDLQGC8w9VhOFm9L-x4Yd4Ion444jK4jn2unuJt-f09J1uJ6dnBPdHrbojr0juVubLmApOCOtPm5vVHQ4NILcGkbgi3V6HGBZ59or%5FuDBpOT5KYRhv6NoT-6x6tXsMNyz%5Fd7w9fRN36pWJtcujjSvPlCGogQkyGk%5FWJpDrwY3ud0%5FfOQ4EEMZiWqu.3UEo6Ip%5Fe1fHsSe%5FMR53ChwnK185CugA9A4GGnUPUbk&qid=1749936501&sr=8-1&ref=philsimon.com) ### Episode 63: Managing Multiple Projects With Elizabeth Harrin URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-63-elizabeth-harrin/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:14.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/harrin-1.jpg) [](https://www.rebelsguidetopm.com/?ref=philsimon.com)[Elizabeth Harrin](https://www.rebelsguidetopm.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me today. We discuss her new book [*Managing Multiple Projects*](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09RVHDRBX/ref=dbs%5Fa%5Fdef%5Frwt%5Fhsch%5Fvapi%5Ftkin%5Fp1%5Fi0?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com), sushi, spaghetti, side dishes, productivity, timeboxing, and more. I had a blast on this one. ### Win a Copy of Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace URL: https://www.philsimon.com/contest-project-management-in-the-hybrid-workplace/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T23:59:48.000Z [The cat is out of the bag](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/announcements/12th-book). *Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace* drops in June. To promote the book, I'm giving away a few copies. Here's the catch: - You promise to give the book an honest review on your blog/site. - You copy and paste that review on Amazon and GoodReads. - You promise to do so in a relatively timely manner. - You give it a little love on social media. - You live in the United States. (This is just a shipping consideration unless you want the Kindle or Audiobook version.) OK ... *catches*. Plural. [You got me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sr0KtlQu%5FM&ref=philsimon.com). ### Pre-Order Signed Copies of Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace URL: https://www.philsimon.com/pre-order-signed-copies-of-project-management-in-the-hybrid-workplace/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T21:12:07.000Z The [Kindle edition of *Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace* ](https://tinyurl.com/PMHWPS?ref=philsimon.com)is now up for pre-order. The physical book will drop soon. As far as I know, there's no easy way to offer signed copies of a book on Amazon or other sites for pre-order, so we'll go old school. If you'd like a copy—or ten—of my new opus, have at it below. Note that it might take a few extra days to get you the books. That is, they may not arrive on June 15, 2022. When you check out, please include your address. If you live outside of the US, [shoot me a note](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) and I can get you a price for international shipments. [BUY THE BOOK](https://www.amazon.com/Project-Management-Hybrid-Workplace-Simon/dp/B0B1S3V2J8/ref=tmm%5Fpap%5Fswatch%5F0?%5Fencoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=&ref=philsimon.com) ### Announcing My 12th Book URL: https://www.philsimon.com/12th-book/ Last updated: 2025-08-09T02:21:48.000Z I have been pretty quiet on the podcasting and blogging fronts lately—and for good reason. Yep, I've written another book. Here's some more information about my forthcoming opus. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/3d_single-1-jpeg-15.jpg) ## Book Description For decades, organizations of all sizes and in all industries have [struggled at managing projects](https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/flying-higher-project-success-rates-on-rise-10697?ref=philsimon.com#:~:text=For%20the%20first%20time%20in,%2C%20respectively%2C%20the%20year%20before.). Even though employees primarily worked together in physical offices, rare was the project that came in on time and on budget and delivered what stakeholders expected. The M-F/9-5 in-person world of work is gone forever. Depending on the country, more than nine in ten people would rather quit their jobs than return to the office five days per week. Brass tacks: [Remote and hybrid workplaces are here to stay](https://news.gallup.com/poll/355907/remote-work-persisting-trending-permanent.aspx?ref=philsimon.com), and they pose formidable obstacles that complicate managing projects and launching new products. Against this backdrop arrives *Project Management for the Hybrid Workplace*, my timely and highly anticipated follow-up to my award-winning book *Reimagining Collaboration*. In the new book, I fuse critical research and concepts from a slew of diverse and seemingly unrelated fields, including Agile software development, human resources, supply chain management, organizational behavior, cognitive psychology, and labor economics. Brimming with detailed case studies, penetrating insights, and practical advice, my twelfth book is *a tour de force*. Product owners, new and seasoned PMs, service providers, freelancers, small business owners, and students taking PM classes will benefit from *Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace*. [Web Browsing Is About to Get Much More InterestingForget the marginal improvements we’ve seen over the past decade. Big changes are coming.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-97.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1669630127566-adeac5492686-1)](https://www.philsimon.com/web-browsing-is-about-to-get-much-more-interesting/) ## Book Information **Publication Date:** June 15, 2022. **Formats:** Hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and ebook. **Page Length:** 350 pages. [BUY THE BOOK](https://www.amazon.com/Project-Management-Hybrid-Workplace-Simon-ebook/dp/B09X22LL4W/ref=tmm%5Fkin%5Fswatch%5F0?%5Fencoding=UTF8&dib%5Ftag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Me%5FilENJDLQGC8w9VhOFm9L-x4Yd4Ion444jK4jn2unuJt-f09J1uJ6dnBPdHrbojr0juVubLmApOCOtPm5vVHQ4NILcGkbgi3V6HGBZ59or%5FuDBpOT5KYRhv6NoT-6x6tXsMNyz%5Fd7w9fRN36pWJtcujjSvPlCGogQkyGk%5FWJpDrwY3ud0%5FfOQ4EEMZiWqu.3UEo6Ip%5Fe1fHsSe%5FMR53ChwnK185CugA9A4GGnUPUbk&qid=1749936501&sr=8-1&ref=philsimon.com) ### Episode 62: Reimagining the Office With Sabine Ehm of Locatee URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-62-sabine-ehm/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:14.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/sabine-1.jpg) Sabine Ehm joins me today. She's a research manager at [Locatee](https://locatee.com/en?ref=philsimon.com). We talk about the future of the office, how much space companies need, ideal configurations, sensors, [*The Reset*](https://www.amazon.com/Reset-Ideas-Change-Work-Live/dp/1529347459/?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com), privacy, and a bunch of other topical stuff. ### Episode 61: Becoming Superhuman With Lucas Miller URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-61-lucas-miller/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:15.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/lucas-miller-1.jpg) [](https://www.lucasmiller.org/?ref=philsimon.com)[Lucas Miller](https://www.lucasmiller.org/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me today. Like me, he wears quite a few hats. The cognitive scientist teaches at UC Berkeley and researches productivity. We talk about technology, how we're wired, his work at [Becoming Superhuman](http://becomingsuperhuman.science/?ref=philsimon.com), his upcoming class at [Section4](https://www.section4.com/?ref=philsimon.com), and cuddle hormones. ### Episode 60: Collective Deep Work With Dr. Laura Giurge URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-60-laura-giurge/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:15.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/laura-jpeg-1.jpg) [](https://www.lauramgiurge.com/?ref=philsimon.com)[Dr. Laura Giurge](https://www.lauramgiurge.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me today. She is an organizational scholar, speaker, and consultant. We explore the importance of deadlines and clarity, [the curse of off-hours e-mail](https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-curse-of-off-hours-email-11633147261?mod=hp%5Flistc%5Fpos1&ref=philsimon.com), the egocentric bias, task urgency, accountability, and the notion of pre-mortems. ### Episode 59: Suddenly Hybrid With Karin Reed URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-59-karin-reed/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:15.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/karin-reed-2.jpg) My friend [Karin Reed](https://speakerdynamics.com/?ref=philsimon.com) is my first return guest. (I suppose that I didn't offend her too much last time.) We talk about her new book [*Suddenly Hybrid: Managing the Modern Meeting*](https://www.amazon.com/Suddenly-Hybrid-Managing-Modern-Meeting/dp/1119831083?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com), HR, the future of the office, user interfaces, employee training, and *Succession*. --- ### Adiós, Spotify. URL: https://www.philsimon.com/adios-spotify/ Last updated: 2025-12-16T02:21:30.000Z I proudly stand with [Joni Mitchell](https://jonimitchell.com/library/view.cfm?id=5101&ref=philsimon.com) and Neil Young. As of today, you can no longer find [*Conversations About Collaboration*](https://www.philsimon.com/pod) on [the world's most popular podcast services](https://www.buzzsprout.com/blog/podcast-statistics?ref=philsimon.com)—er, "platform." (Oh, and I've also canceled my Spotify streaming account. We'll see how long the company continues to hold that distinction. The word *tenuous* comes to mind.) ## Platform Perversion I call bullshit on CEO Daniel Ek's claim that [Spotify is sometimes a platform and other times a publisher](https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/3/22915456/spotify-ceo-joe-rogan-daniel-ek-town-hall-speech-platform-podcast?ref=philsimon.com). In the immortal words of The Church Lady, how convenient. Sorry, Danny. It doesn't work that way. When you pay [$100,000,000 to someone for exclusive publication rights](https://www.wsj.com/articles/spotify-strikes-exclusive-podcast-deal-with-joe-rogan-11589913814?ref=philsimon.com), the idea that your company remains a neutral platform is freakin' absurd. (As the author of *The Age of the Platform*, I feel particularly qualified to render judgment here.) Your company is a publisher. Big difference, dude. Hey, at least he's not alone in practicing [platform perversion](https://www.philsimon.com/advice-to-startups-stop-using-the-word-platform/). Will my humble actions alone hurt Spotify's business? I'm no fool. If enough people follow suit, then its stock will [continue to tumble](https://www.fool.com/investing/2022/02/03/why-spotify-technology-stock-dropped-189-today/?ref=philsimon.com). Call it *cancel culture* if you like, but isn't voting with our wallets the ultimate expression of capitalism? My doppelgänger [Scott Galloway](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prof-g-pod-with-scott-galloway/id1498802610?i=1000549876828&ref=philsimon.com) sure thinks so. I'm no activist, but I've taken principled stands before that have most likely hurt my business. In 2017, I deleted my Facebook account. (I only wish that I had done so sooner.) Better to burn out than to fade away, right? ## Simon Says The right to free speech isn't absolute. Clean up Spotify's act, Ek. Your "platform" is causing a great deal of harm. ### On Calendly Etiquette URL: https://www.philsimon.com/calendly-etiquette/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:22.000Z When egos, tech, and the desire for efficiency collide. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Simon's Laws of Interorganizational Communication and Collaboration URL: https://www.philsimon.com/interorganizational-communication-collaboration/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T18:36:53.000Z Project charters are meaningless unless people, you know, actually follow them. Sadly, this isn't always the case. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 58: Talking Lanes With Sway's Denise Brouder URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-58-denise-brouder/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:15.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/denise-3.jpg) Denise Brouder pops by today. The head of [Sway Workplace](https://www.swayworkplace.com/?ref=philsimon.com) shares her thoughts on a number of interesting subjects: the future of work, the creator economy, web3, the importance of incessantly asking why, and her five-lane theory of work. --- ### On Piano Teachers, Windows XP, and Aversion to Change URL: https://www.philsimon.com/piano-teachers-windows-xp-and-aversion-to-change/ Last updated: 2025-10-28T13:12:54.000Z A trip to the Genius Bar brought back some interesting memories. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Does Your Prospective Employer Truly Embrace Remote Work? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/remote-work-future-employer/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T01:03:57.000Z In which I offer unsolicited advice to applicants trying to separate fact from fiction. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 57: Employee Surveys Reimagined With Noah Pusey of Ripple Analytics URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-57-noah-pusey/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:15.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/noah-1.jpg) Noah Pusey joins me. He is president and CEO of [Ripple Analytics](https://ripplefeedback.com/?ref=philsimon.com), a company that is redefining performance evaluations and employee surveys. We talk about curiosity, cooperation, traditional performance reviews, [Goodhart’s Law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodhart%27s%5Flaw?ref=philsimon.com), GE, and Air Jordan. --- ### The Case for a Transparent Hiring Process URL: https://www.philsimon.com/transparent-hiring-process/ Last updated: 2025-07-13T21:08:27.000Z In my first post of the new year, I chime in with thoughts on how one can serve as a critical point of differentiation in the war for talent. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### What CD Sales Teach Us About the Future of Work URL: https://www.philsimon.com/what-cd-sales-future-work/ Last updated: 2025-08-31T13:37:11.000Z In which I drop a panoply of music references and liken the idea of returning to an office to a nearly obsolete product. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 56: Intentionality With Dr. Sahar Yousef of Berkeley and Josh Zerkel of Asana URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-56-dr-sahar-yousef-josh-zerkel/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:15.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/joshuazerkel-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/sahar-yousef-1.jpg) [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/saharyousef/?ref=philsimon.com)[Dr. Sahar Yousef](https://www.linkedin.com/in/saharyousef/?ref=philsimon.com) of Berkeley and [Josh Zerkel](https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuazerkel/?ref=philsimon.com) of Asana join me. We talk about work about work (that's not a typo), the role technology plays in employee burnout, Slack, context-switching, intentionality, trust, and clarity. We also discuss Asana's fascinating [Anatomy of Work Report](https://resources.asana.com/rs/784-XZD-582/images/PDF-FY21-Global-EN-Anatomy%20of%20Work%20Report.pdf?ref=philsimon.com). --- ### Work Visualized: Before and After Covid URL: https://www.philsimon.com/work-visualized/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:24.000Z It has been fascinating to watch [the popularization of icons in web design](https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/03/how-to-use-icons-to-support-content-in-web-design/?ref=philsimon.com) over the last decade or so. On a personal level, I'm finding all sorts of ways to incorporate them into my sites. Against that backdrop, here's an insanely oversimplified version of our work lives before and after COVID-19. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/postcovidwork-1.png) Click to embiggen. [Download as a PDF](https://www.philsimon.com/content/files/2025/05/work%5Fand%5Fcovid-1.pdf). ### The Case for Author Experiments URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-case-for-author-experiments/ Last updated: 2025-08-26T21:18:21.000Z Stuck on a title, subtitle, and cover for your book? Let data show you the way. Oh, and I compare myself to Brad Pitt. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Episode 55: Beyond Simple Screen Sharing With Till Pieper URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-55-till-pieper/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:15.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/till-1.jpg) Zoom may have introduced millions to screen-sharing, but others have been doing it for decades. Also, why are engineers innately more collaborative than most of us? I talk about these subjects and others with Till Pieper, CEO and co-founder of [CoScreen](https://www.coscreen.co/?ref=philsimon.com). --- ### The Reimagining Collaboration Keynote Visualized URL: https://www.philsimon.com/reimagining-collaboration-keynote-visualized/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T22:52:04.000Z Readers of this site know that I love dataviz, a good visual, and collaboration. Last week, I gave the keynote at a virtual [WDHB](https://www.wdhb.com/?ref=philsimon.com) event on *Reimagining Collaboration*. The good folks there turned my talk into the following graphic: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/maxis-2.png) Click on the image to enlarge it. Truth be told, I have seen these types of visuals before. I especially love that they reflect the key points from the perspective of the designer—not the speaker. Put differently, they reflect what resonated with the audience. I had no idea that the WDHB folks were doing this. I merely woke up one morning to a surprising e-mail. (I've had said for years that some messages are downright awesome.) These are exactly the types of happy accidents that can happen when speaking about your book—a point that I make in spades in [The Author Flywheel](https://www.philsimon.com/products-courses/). ### On Hybrid Work, Book Figures, and da Vinci URL: https://www.philsimon.com/hybrid-work-da-vinci/ Last updated: 2025-06-30T02:28:17.000Z Employer flexibility is on the rise—and I don't see that trend abating. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Slack Continues Its Assault on Multi-Tasking and Manual Work URL: https://www.philsimon.com/slack-multi-tasking/ Last updated: 2025-12-30T23:41:21.000Z No, yesterday's updates won't eliminate multi-tasking. Make no mistake, though: Users will spend less time toggling between and among disparate applications. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 54: Everything Is Configurable With Nick Iovacchini URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-54-nick-iovacchini/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:15.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/nick-iovacchini-1.jpg) Nick Iovacchini joins me. He is the co-founder and CEO of [Kettle](https://www.kettlespace.com/?ref=philsimon.com). The company makes software that enables hybrid work. We talk about the formation of the company, real estate, HR, the difficulty of scheduling employees, the potential savings of hybrid work, Uber, and transparency. --- ### Announcing My New Author Marketing Course URL: https://www.philsimon.com/new-author-marketing-course/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T22:53:21.000Z I am no stranger to the written word. At this point in my life, it’s fair to say that I know a thing or six about writing books. Ditto for publishing and marketing them. Now, for the first time, I’m ready to share knowledge and experience that I’ve gained over the last twelve years in an online course. I’m thrilled to announce [The Author Flywheel: How to Intelligently and Affordably Market Your Book](https://www.philsimon.com/products-courses/). ## The Idea Behind a Flywheel The course is based upon the notion of a flywheel—a powerful business concept that Amazon, Netflix, [Uber](https://andrewchen.com/ubers-virtuous-cycle-5-important-reads-about-uber/?ref=philsimon.com), and other companies have used to achieve astonishing results. (Hat tip: Jim Collins.) I have packed the course with nearly three hours of entertaining, informative, and practical videos—but I didn't stop there. I included a bevy of supplemental material. Regardless of medium, all of the content serves to advance a single objective: to teach you how to effectively and affordably promote your book. ## Course Audience I developed The Author Flywheel for all sorts of writers. You’ll benefit whether you are: - A first-time author and or an experienced scribe - A writer working on a fiction or non-fiction book - Self-publishing or working with traditional publishers I can’t guarantee results. No one can ensure that a book becomes a bestseller—not even a blue-chip PR firm. If someone says as much, run. > I developed The Author Flywheel for all sorts of writers. In this course, I open up my playbook of author marketing hacks. I offer my most valuable advice—especially on how to avoid making painful and sometimes expensive mistakes. If you’re looking to get as bang for your marketing buck as possible, then this is the course for you. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/inaction-jpeg-1.jpg) Filming the course. Thanks to professional help and equipment, I seem to vaguely know what I'm talking about. #TryTheVeal Here's an overview video of the course: [Optical Narrative](https://www.opticalnarrative.com/?ref=philsimon.com) knocked the A/V out of the park. I'm stoked about The Author Flywheel. It is the course that I wish I had taken back when I published my first book way back in 2009\. I hope that you'll check it out. [LEARN MORE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2jQf9ouD7s&source%5Fve%5Fpath=MjM4NTE&ref=philsimon.com) ### The Teaching Shackles Are Off. It Feels Amazing. URL: https://www.philsimon.com/shackles/ Last updated: 2025-08-19T17:26:55.000Z Few books have stuck with me a decade after I have read them. [*Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us*](https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates-ebook/dp/B004P1JDJO?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com) by [Dan Pink](https://www.danpink.com/?ref=philsimon.com) is one of them. Through research and compelling stories, he adroitly describes how autonomy, mastery, and purpose serve as essential legs of the motivational stool. Dude can flat-out write. Over the past few months, I have been thinking about the model at the heart of *Drive* quite a bit. During that time, I have been developing and recording online courses on: - **Dataviz.** Impressed with my 2014 book *The Visual Organization*, the good folks at [UOL ](https://www.uol.com.br/?ref=philsimon.com)originally hired me back in 2019 to develop a new course for MBA students. Evidently, the students loved it and I'm a bit of a rock star in Brazil. Hence, the course's second incarnation. - **Author marketing.** This past weekend, I filmed [a new Teachable course](https://www.philsimon.com/courses). I'll have more to say about it soon. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/fim-1.jpg) Recording at Chez Simon The two courses cover vastly disparate subjects. I'd be shocked if more than a handful of individuals take both of them. The target audiences aren't exactly complements. Chocolate and peanut butter have got nothing to fear, but the differences between my two new courses don't end there. Next up, there's the economics. For the dataviz course, I received a large upfront payment and will earn zero royalties. By contrast, on the marketing course, I footed the bill myself. I am betting that the course and attendant coaching will make me money in the future. On to the similarities ... First, there's the brooding intensity of the instructor. (But seriously folks ...) Second, in each case, videographers arrived with loads of A/V equipment to ensure a professional final product. The presentation isn't at a Masterclass level, but it's not that far off. > A recent study indicates that side hustlers are more engaged because of their choice to take on a second gig. Third and most germane for the purposes of this post, I developed both courses in a largely independent manner. Yep, the whole kit and caboodle: the curriculum, materials, videos, course objectives, level of detail, and overall flow. I made deliberate design choices—and not every student will agree with them. In each case, the development process was a blast. It's fair to say that I often entered [a flow state](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow%5F%28psychology%29?ref=philsimon.com). The work felt doubly gratifying because of what I had to endure developing regurgitating courses in my previous life. ## When Bureaucracy, Insecurity, and Ego Stifle Autonomy Starting in [the Fall of 2018](https://www.philsimon.com/visualizing-my-teaching-schedule/), I started teaching [a survey course](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/courses/#236) under a stifling level of micromanagement. Exhibit A: Modifying a single test question required a painful meeting among all professors involved. The course commander coordinator pooh-poohed or ignored all of his colleagues' requests to improve his baby. Got an idea for an [in-class exercise](https://www.philsimon.com/three-of-my-favorite-in-class-exercises/)? Keep it to yourself, Sparky. I can best describe the experience as *infantilizing*. (He served as the archetype of a collaboration killer in *Reimagining Collaboration*. Calm blue oceans ...) Now, it's one thing to exert zero control over *what* you're teaching, but that was hardly my only constraint. The powers-that-be dictated where, when, and *increasingly* how its non-tenured faculty taught. (One of my former colleagues vowed to quit if the administration assigned him courses again at a campus 40 miles from his home.) As a result, second-class citizens lacked any agency and generally felt powerless while on the clock. (Interestingly, [a recent study](https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-a-side-hustle-can-boost-your-job-performance-11635533208?ref=philsimon.com) indicates that side hustlers are more engaged because they choose to take the second gig.) Let's return to Pink's framework and apply it to my predicament: My autonomy had plummeted while [my mastery had concurrently grown](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/student-evaluations/): ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/graph6-1.gif) (I'm especially proud of this chart.) The mix is a recipe for disaster. The gap between my mastery and autonomy had become a chasm. Reading the departmental tea leaves, the status quo showed no signs of reversing. At least I could take solace in the fact many of my non-tenured friends experienced the same thing. Against this backdrop, I opted to spread my wings. (Cue [Queen](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyd6OLyhPJo&ref=philsimon.com) reference.) I channeled my inner [DeNiro in *Heat*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktSdle1Mwdg&ref=philsimon.com) and said, "I am never going back." Stop me before I sub-reference again ... ## Careful What You Wish for ... I'm familiar with the downsides of developing content in a relative vacuum. ([Coders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pair%5Fprogramming?ref=philsimon.com) often work in pairs to solve this very problem.) For starters, no one double-checks your work. Beyond the occasional typo or errant slide, however, it's possible that your talk entirely misses its mark—and that's usually on you. Fortunately, professional speakers typically can avoid this outcome. The good ones mitigate the odds of a disaster by doing the following: - Insisting upon early calls to ensure that they and their clients are simpatico. - Asking for basic information on attendees. - Asking what other event speakers are covering so their messages don't conflict or overlap. - Offering to submit their slides ahead of time. - Responding promptly to client feedback. [Three Freelancing ModelsThoughts on a few ways to make a living for yourself.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-124.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1584134046510-d193d66e7ae4-1)](https://www.philsimon.com/three-freelancing-models/) ## Simon Says: You can't make everyone happy. Good. Early in your career or in a new position, it's easier and fairly common to eat a little crow. Once you've acquired a bit of mastery in an area, however, things get dicier. In my experience, creative types like ex-Googler [Douglas Bowman](https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/google-designer-leaves-blaming-data-centrism/?ref=philsimon.com) and me are less willing to operate sans autonomy. (I don't consider myself an artist, but I certainly take pride in my craft.) Asserting your independence will doubtless offend some people. Returning to my previous gig for a moment, that course coordinator didn't belong to the Phil Simon Fan Club—and the feeling was mutual. So be it. There's an upside, though: It will endear you to others. I'm talking about the people who look at your ability to quickly assemble quality courses, talks, and other content without handholding correctly as an asset. It's one reason that my speaking clients frequently recommend me to others. (Well, that and [my charming personality](https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/56c35de9-a0c9-4323-8c09-e2f3057af3f6?ref=philsimon.com).) APB reps know that I can deliver interesting and relevant talks, not just parrot others' words. *Adios* [shackles](https://youtu.be/En9rx7M3TNs?t=41&ref=philsimon.com). May you never return. ### Episode 53: Indirect Influence With Vanessa Bohns URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-53-vanessa-bohns/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:15.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/vanessa-bohns-1.jpg) [](https://www.vanessabohns.com/?ref=philsimon.com)[Vanessa Bohns](https://www.vanessabohns.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me today. She is a social psychologist and professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University. Her new book is [*You Have More Influence Than You Think: How We Underestimate Our Power of Persuasion, and Why It Matters*](https://www.amazon.com/Have-More-Influence-Than-Think-ebook/dp/B08X2Z2DSM/ref=sr%5F1%5F1?crid=P0V5YX77UQGL&dchild=1&keywords=Vanessa+Bohns&qid=1635874634&s=books&sprefix=vanessa+bohns%2Cstripbooks%2C118&sr=1-1?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). We talk about power, hybrid work, virtue signaling, destination weddings, pronouns, and the benefits of showing up to meetings even when you don't speak. --- ### Episode 52: Despotic Taylorism With Christopher Mims of The Wall Street Journal URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-52-christopher-mims/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T18:44:19.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/mims-1.jpg) [Christopher Mims](https://www.twitter.com/mims?ref=philsimon.com) joins me today. He is a tech columnist at *The Wall Street Journal.* His new book is [*Arriving Today: From Factory to Front Door—Why Everything Has Changed About How and What We Buy*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/006298795X?tag=phisim-20&ref=philsimon.com). We talk about logistics, the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the supply chain, labor differences between Amazon and UPS, Frederick Taylor, and when things will go back to normal. --- [WANT EARLY ACCESS TO PODCAST EPISODES? ➡️](https://www.patreon.com/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) ### Why I Never Describe Myself as Results-Oriented URL: https://www.philsimon.com/results-oriented/ Last updated: 2025-06-28T18:13:04.000Z Call me persnickety, but this trite phrase really grinds my gears. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Russian Edition of Reimagining Collaboration Coming URL: https://www.philsimon.com/russian-edition-of-reimagining-collaboration-coming/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T01:06:20.000Z I am pleased to announce that [a Russian translation of *Reimagining Collaboration* is coming](https://www.popuri.ru/?ref=philsimon.com). Major props to discerning TV connoisseur and overall baller [Monica Meehan](https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-meehan-8423518?ref=philsimon.com) of [Dropcap](https://dropcap.com/?ref=philsimon.com). At the risk of jinxing myself, I'd be surprised if more don't follow in my quest to change how the world collaborates. Maybe [the Ukraine is next](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzLtF%5FPxbYw&ref=philsimon.com). ![](https://media2.giphy.com/media/laUY2MuoktHPy/200.gif) Do svidaniya! ### Special Edition: Lightwerks Keynote Revisited URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/special-edition-lightwerks/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:05:59.000Z A while back, I gave a keynote for the AV company [Lightwerks](https://lightwerks.com/?ref=philsimon.com). The good folks at the company are letting me share it in an audio format. I talk about where we are with the pandemic, the adoption of new collaboration tools, *Reimagining Collaboration*, and things that people can do today to collaborate better. --- ### Thoughts on Consultant Certifications URL: https://www.philsimon.com/consultant-certifications/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T19:11:32.000Z Despite what many software vendors claim, they are neither necessary nor sufficient to deliver the goods. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### On Blocks and the Future of Collaboration and Productivity URL: https://www.philsimon.com/blocks-productivity-future-collaboration/ Last updated: 2026-02-15T03:04:40.000Z Virtual LEGOS and more collaborative documents will make Google Docs look quaint by comparison. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Episode 52: Talking Teams With Matt Wade URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-52-matt-wade/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:16.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/wade-1.jpg) Matt Wade joins me. He is the co-founder of [jumpto365.](https://www.jumpto365.com/?ref=philsimon.com) His new book is [*Teach Yourself VISUALLY Microsoft Teams*](https://www.amazon.com/Teach-Yourself-VISUALLY-Microsoft-Teams/dp/1119772540?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). We talk about Microsoft's productivity and collaboration software, the overlap among its products, and the difficulty of getting people to adopt new ways of working. --- ### Slack and Its Ilk Shine a Light on Organizational Problems. Be Thankful. URL: https://www.philsimon.com/slack-transparency-problems/ Last updated: 2025-07-06T20:25:12.000Z Internal collaboration hubs can quickly manifest thorny cultural issues. That's exactly why some leaders oppose them. Big mistake. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 51: Collaboration Overload With Professor Rob Cross URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-51-rob-cross/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:16.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/robcross-1.jpg) Fellow tennis nut [Rob Cross](https://robcross.org/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me today. He's the Edward A. Madden Professor of Global Leadership at Babson College. We talk about the state of work and his excellent new book [*Beyond Collaboration Overload: How to Work Smarter, Get Ahead, and Restore Your Well-Being*](https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Collaboration-Overload-Smarter-Well-Being/dp/164782012X?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). Oh, and Kevin Bacon makes an appearance. --- ### How Author Indecision Leads to Missed Opportunities URL: https://www.philsimon.com/authors-books-indecision/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T12:24:31.000Z Thoughts on the downsides of dithering while writing a topical business book—or paying someone to do it for you. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### My Favorite Resources on the Future of Work URL: https://www.philsimon.com/future-of-work-resources/ Last updated: 2025-09-17T18:01:01.000Z How I stay current on this fascinating topic. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 50: A Flux Mind-Set With April Rinne URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-50-april-rinne/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:16.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/april-1.jpg) ​[April Rinne](https://aprilrinne.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me. She's the author of the excellent new book [*Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change*](https://www.amazon.com/Flux-Superpowers-Thriving-Constant-Change/dp/1523093595?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). We talk about the intensifying rate of change, agency, [playlists](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6BNyTPCOBQxuyhrTXFjoCD?ref=philsimon.com), and the importance of letting go of the future. (Yeah, you read right.) --- ### On Collaboration Tools, Interview Litmus Tests, and Higher Education URL: https://www.philsimon.com/higher-education-collaboration/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:25.000Z Flip the script and interview the interviewers. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 49: The Challenges of Hybrid Work With Dr. Peter Cappelli URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-49-peter-cappelli/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:16.000Z ![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSd9Y64vNBUNl91a8jYp40YE6aRNdU0S9B8W4d92bBZN5Jpsvmxy5ujqC954byIZ9aVeU8&usqp=CAU) Dr. Peter Cappelli joins me. He is the George W. Taylor professor of management at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and the author of [*The Future of the Office: Work From Home, Remote Work, and the Hard Choices We All Face*](https://www.amazon.com/Future-Office-Work-Remote-Choices/dp/1613631537/ref=sr%5F1%5F1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Future+of+the+Office+Work+from+Home%2C+Remote+Work%2C+and+the+Hard+Choices+We+All+Face&qid=1632835135&sr=8-1?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). We talk about the difficulties of hybrid work, how it may impact cities and local businesses, and the challenges of onboarding new employees. --- ### Solving Tool Overload and the Search Dilemma URL: https://www.philsimon.com/tool-overload/ Last updated: 2025-08-15T08:40:59.000Z More tech isn't the solution. Pick a lane and stay in it. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Thoughts on Slack Clips URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thoughts-on-slack-clips/ Last updated: 2025-06-22T01:25:19.000Z Another valuable edition—and feature that makes the comparison to e-mail even more absurd. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 48: The Remote Oracle With Darren Murph of Gitlab URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-48-darren-murph/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:16.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/murph-1.jpg) Rock star and remote oracle [Darren Murph](https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/marketing/readmes/dmurph/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me today. He serves as the Head of Remote—cool title—for [Gitlab](https://about.gitlab.com/?ref=philsimon.com). We talk about organizational alignment, Slack, intentionality, the importance of documentation, software development, culture, talent shows, and much more. This conversation was one of my faves. --- ### Zillow, Location, and the Beginning of the End of Compensating Wage Differentials? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/zillow-location/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:26.000Z I dust off my old HR hat in today's post and drop a reference from The Wire. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 47: The Whole-Person Workplace With Scott Behson URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-47-scott-behson/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:16.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/behson-1.jpg) Fellow Joisey boy and author [Scott Behson](https://www.scottbehson.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me. He is a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University. We talk about his new book [*The Whole-Person Workplace: Building Better Workplaces Through Work-Life, Wellness and Employee Support*](https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Person-Workplace-Building-Workplaces-Work-Life/dp/1628658150/ref=sr%5F1%5F1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Whole-Person+Workplace%3A+Building+Better+Workplaces+Through+Work-Life%2C+Wellness+and+Employee+Support&qid=1628527125?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). --- ### Episode 46: The Collaborative Nature of Marketing With John Jantsch URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-46-john-jantsch/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:16.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/john-jantsch-1.jpg) [](https://theultimatemarketingengine.com/?ref=philsimon.com)[John Jantsch](https://theultimatemarketingengine.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me. He is a prominent marketing consultant, speaker, and the author of a bunch of books, most recently [*The Ultimate Marketing Engine: 5 Steps to Ridiculously Consistent Growth*](https://amzn.to/3BXsxgJ?ref=philsimon.com). We talk about the collaborative nature of marketing, [Monday](https://monday.com/?ref=philsimon.com), customer journeys, automation, and referrals. --- ### A Business Novel? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/a-business-novel/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T18:33:13.000Z My favorite artists, writers, actors, and musicians challenge themselves. Bryan Cranston, Rush, Marillion, Foo Fighters, and Steven Wilson are just a few of the folks whom I admire because they zig when people expect them to zag. No one can ever accuse them of being typecast. Along these lines, I've been thinking quite a bit these folks as I contemplate my next potential book. After two *For Dummies* guides, I decided to return to a conceptual book with *Reimagining Collaboration*. For the next, I'm debating going in a slightly different direction: a business novel of sorts. In case you're wondering, these types of parables exist. [*Who Moved My Cheese?*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who%5FMoved%5FMy%5FCheese%3F?ref=philsimon.com)certainly comes to mind. *The Phoenix Project* and *The Goal* are two others. Before I go too far down the road, I'm wondering if others would even consider buying that type of book from me. Smart dude W. Edwards Deming once famously said, "In God we trust. All others must bring data." Let me know if this direction is worth pursuing by voting in the poll below. ### The world of work isn’t returning to its pre-Covid state. Why should your tech? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/tech-pre-covid-state/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:26.000Z Yeah, we want things to return to normal. Tech-wise, however, that mind-set is a mistake. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 45: Stories and Videos With Voodle CEO Forest Key URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-45-forest-key/ Last updated: 2025-06-15T14:28:26.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/forest-1.jpg) Forest Key joins me. He is the founder and CEO of [Voodle](https://voodle.com/?ref=philsimon.com). We talk about stories, Slack, Clubhouse, asynchronous communication, Zoom's outrageous growth, and personalized videos. --- ### Episode 44: The Intersection of Design and Collaboration With Ring Central's Michael Peachey URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-44-michael-peachey/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:16.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/peachey-1.jpg) Michael Peachey joins me. He is the VP of User Experience at [RingCentral](https://www.ringcentral.com/?ref=philsimon.com). We discuss collaboration personas, [*Ready Player One*](https://www.amazon.com/Ready-Player-One-Ernest-Cline/dp/0307887448?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com), maker time vs. manager time, Slack, and unified communications. --- ### Episode 43: Bridging the IT-Business Divide With Chris Fenning URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-43-chris-fenning/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:16.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/chris-fenning-1.jpg) Smart bloke [Chris Fenning](https://chrisfenning.com/?ref=philsimon.com) is my guest today. We talk about communication styles, types, the English neo-prog band Marillion, and his award-winning book [*The First Minute: How to Start Conversations That Get Results*](https://www.amazon.com/Chris-Fenning/e/B08N111N4B&?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). --- ### How One Company Reimagined Collaboration URL: https://www.philsimon.com/how-one-company-reimagined-collaboration/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:26.000Z As I've said dozens of times before, we love to blame technology because [it can't blame us back](https://ift.tt/2VM2VmL?ref=philsimon.com). Against that backdrop, I love [this *Fast Company* piece](https://www.fastcompany.com/90588307/slack-and-zoom-were-distracting-our-teams-heres-how-we-regained-focus?ref=philsimon.com) about how the PR firm [Idea Grove](https://www.ideagrove.com/?ref=philsimon.com) tamed the chaos of constant notifications. To quote: We set new rules for communication. We defined a specific role for each of our communication tools. Slack and email, as well as our project management tool, Teamwork, would be used exclusively for asynchronous communication. A same-day or next-morning response would always be sufficient for these channels, and no one should expect a response sooner than that. If a manager needed a response within an hour or two, they were to send a text. If they needed an immediate response, they were to pick up the phone and call. No exceptions. In a word, *yes*. Among Idea Grove's most essential moves: recognizing [the difference between manager and maker time](https://www.paulgraham.com/makersschedule.html?ref=philsimon.com)—a key point in *Reimagining Collaboration*. Of course, I would love to know the spokes to which it has tied Slack—its internal collaboration hub.I suspect that the it is already embracing [the Hub-Spoke Model of Collaboration](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6CybRWlfL8&ref=philsimon.com). ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ## Simon Says: Start viewing collaboration holistically. Regardless of where we work, creating and enforcing rules are paramount to collaborating effectively. Blame tech all you want, but you'll never make any progress unless your organization looks at collaboration holistically. ### Episode 42: Chartering a New Future With Erin Grau URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-42-erin-grau/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:17.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/erin-grau-1.jpg) Erin Grau joins me. She's the co-founder and COO of [Charter](https://charterworks.com/?ref=philsimon.com), a company that seeks to transform work. We talk about parental leave, equity, *Jerry Maguire*, and the massive opportunity for organizations to reimagine work. --- ### Episode 41: Debugging People With Tandem CEO Rajiv Ayyangar URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-41-rajiv-ayyangar/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:17.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/rajiv-ayyangar-1.jpg) Rajiv Ayyangar is my guest this week. He's the CEO of [Tandem](https://tandem.chat/?ref=philsimon.com)—the virtual office for distributed teams. We talk about hybrid work, Yahoo! (yes, Yahoo!), [Notion](https://www.notion.so/?ref=philsimon.com), *Silicon Valley*, productivity, presence, Spotify, Britney Spears, and debugging people. --- ### Reimagining Collaboration 10-Packs Available URL: https://www.philsimon.com/reimagining-collaboration-10-packs-available/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T22:36:24.000Z If I've learned anything in my years, it's that power users are the exception that proves the following rule: Many if not most people use the bare minimum of a system or application's features. The same maxim holds true with respect to today's internal collaboration hubs: Few individuals take advantage of the powerful functionality in Zoom, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace.(I'd bet my house that each vendor's user data would prove my point in spades.) Against this backdrop, organizations would benefit immensely if their leaders reimagined how employees worked and adopted [the Hub-Spoke Model of Collaboration](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/collaboration/hub-spoke-model-of-collaboration/). Of course, change management is never easy. As I know all too well, it's nearly impossible to get others to alter their entrenched work habits and adopt new behaviors. Put differently, by definition collaboration is a team sport. For individual and organizational change to take place and stick, many things need to take place. For starters, people need to know that there's a better, more holistic way to work and collaborate. > Change management is never easy. As luck would have it, there is—and *Reimagining Collaboration* provides such a way. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/image-24.png) I'm betting that you know others who would benefit from reading *Reimagining Collaboration* and implementing its ideas. (I certainly wouldn't have written the book if that weren't the case.) What's more, I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is. Specifically, for the next month, I'm offering 10 copies of the paperback version of *Reimagining Collaboration* for $100 USD (including shipping in the US). Ideally, my book will help your direct reports, colleagues, and organization's leadership collaborate better. [LET'S DO THIS](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) ### Episode 40: The Future Office With Chris Good URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-40-chris-good/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:17.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/chris-good-1.png) [](https://twitter.com/cgooddesign?lang=en&ref=philsimon.com)[Chris Good](https://twitter.com/cgooddesign?lang=en&ref=philsimon.com) joins me. He's the Creative Director at [One Workplace](https://www.oneworkplace.com/?ref=philsimon.com). We talk about reimagining the office, going to work to get away from home, and the massive opportunity for companies to differentiate themselves via design. --- ### Why I Don't Offer Turnkey Consulting Arrangements URL: https://www.philsimon.com/turnkey-consulting-arrangements/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:26.000Z Foolish is the soul who believes that successful change management involves a cookie-cutter approach. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 39: Organizational Improv With Coonoor Behal URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-39-coonoor-behal/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:17.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/coonoor-behal-1.png) [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/coonoorbehal/?ref=philsimon.com)[Coonoor Behal](https://www.linkedin.com/in/coonoorbehal/?ref=philsimon.com) is my guest today. She runs [Mindhatch](https://www.mindhatchllc.com/?ref=philsimon.com)—a firm that using creativity to help companies get better results. She is also the author of [*I Quit! The Life-Affirming Joy of Giving Up*](https://www.amazon.com/Quit-Life-Affirming-Joy-Giving-Up-ebook/dp/B093QN3GXJ?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). We talk about the Great Resignation, improv comedy, saying no, and the choices that employees make. --- ### Episode 38: Amazon Unbound With Brad Stone URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-38-brad-stone/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:17.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/bradstone-1.png) [](https://brad-stone.com/?ref=philsimon.com)[Brad Stone](https://brad-stone.com/?ref=philsimon.com) is a Senior Executive Editor at Bloomberg News. He joins me this week to talk about his excellent book [*Amazon Unbound: Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire*](https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Unbound-Invention-Global-Empire/dp/1982132612?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). We talk about automation, HQ2, Prime Studios, fake reviews, *Seinfeld*, and the tension between creativity and analytics at the world's largest e-tailer. --- ### The Great Resignation Will Hurt Some Firms More Than Others URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-great-resignation/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T19:09:26.000Z Four ways that hubs and spokes will lessen the pay of key departures. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 37: Making Work More Fun With Pim de Morree URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-37-pim-de-morree/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:17.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/pim-1.png) Pim de Morree joins me. He's the co-founder of [Corporate Rebels](https://www.corporate-rebels.com/?ref=philsimon.com) and co-author of [*Corporate Rebels: Make work more fun*](https://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Rebels-Make-work-more/dp/9083004805?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). We talk about self-management, employee trust, Spotify, hybrid work, e-commerce, and the world coming around to his line of thinking. --- ### Episode 36: Trust, Culture, and Teams With Larry English of Centric Consulting URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-36-larry-english/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:17.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/larry-english-1.jpg) Larry English joins me. He's the president of [Centric Consulting](https://centricconsulting.com/?ref=philsimon.com) and the author of [*Office Optional: How to Build a Connected Culture with Virtual Teams*](https://amzn.to/3x9jl5T?ref=philsimon.com). We talk about trust, teams, culture, change management, and hybrid work. --- ### Should you use e-mail for internal communication? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/should-you-use-e-mail-for-internal-communication/ Last updated: 2025-06-22T01:25:56.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/flow-chart-3.gif) Any questions? ### Episode 35: Automation, Businesses Processes, and Economics With AirSlate CEO Borya Shakhnovich URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-35-borya-shakhnovich/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:17.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/borya-shakhnovich-1.jpg) [](https://airslate.com/?ref=philsimon.com)[AirSlate](https://airslate.com/?ref=philsimon.com) CEO Borya Shakhnovich and I discuss the obstacles that inhibit organizations from automating manual business processes. We also talk about small businesses, change management, and the economics of automation. --- ### Reimagining Collaboration Wins International Book Award URL: https://www.philsimon.com/reimagining-collaboration-international-book-award/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T21:46:39.000Z *Reimagining Collaboration* has won a [ 2021 International Book Award](https://web.archive.org/web/20210619030007/https://www.internationalbookawards.com/2021awardannouncement.html) in the Business category (Communications / Public Relations sub-genre). In addition, the committee selected the book as one of seven finalists in the Business: General category. So there's that. *Reimagining Collaboration* is my third book to win an award. [*The Age of the Platform*](https://www.philsimon.com/the-age-of-the-platform-wins-axiom-award/) and [*Message Not Received*](https://www.philsimon.com/message-not-received-wins-axiom-award/) also took home hardware. Boom. [BUY BOOK](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08THRXQ69/ref=dbs%5Fa%5Fdef%5Frwt%5Fbibl%5Fvppi%5Fi3?ref=philsimon.com) ### Episode 34: Lattes, Trust, and Benefits With Fringe CEO Jordan Peace URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-34-jordan-pearce/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:17.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/jordan-pearce-1.jpg) Jordan Peace is my guest today. He is a co-founder and the CEO of [Fringe](https://fringe.us/?ref=philsimon.com). We talk about how to personalize employee benefits, the challenges of recognizing remote employees, and his company's interesting plans for the future of work. --- ### On Collaboration, E-Mail, and the Discman URL: https://www.philsimon.com/on-collaboration-e-mail-and-the-discman/ Last updated: 2025-06-22T01:27:16.000Z A parallel between antiquated tools. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### A Better Way to Work URL: https://www.philsimon.com/a-better-way-to-work/ Last updated: 2025-07-07T21:51:11.000Z Hubs and spokes in action. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 33: Presence and Productivity With David Burkus URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-33-david-burkus/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:18.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/burkus-1.jpg) Bestselling author [David Burkus](https://www.davidburkus.com/?ref=philsimon.com) and I discuss his new book [*Leading from Anywhere: The Essential Guide to Managing Remote Teams*](https://amzn.to/3vgF9fj?ref=philsimon.com). Other topics include overcoming the challenges of hybrid work, the difference between presence and productivity, Van Halen, bad Instagram ideas, and the classic flick *Office Space*. --- ### On the Parallels Between Collaboration Hubs and Smartphones URL: https://www.philsimon.com/on-the-parallels-between-collaboration-hubs-and-smartphones/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:27.000Z A useful analogy to unleash the true power of Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 32: Telepresence Robots With Aaron Campbell of OhmniLabs URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-32-aaron-campbell/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:18.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/aaron-campbell-jpeg-1.jpg) Aaron Campbell of [OhmniLabs](https://www.ohmnilabs.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me to talk about telepresence robots, AI, ethics, and *Jurassic Park*. --- ### On Collaboration, Seinfeld, and Chinese Food URL: https://www.philsimon.com/collaboration-seinfeld/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:27.000Z I spend way too much time thinking about *Seinfeld*, collaboration, and how the two collide. To this end, it dawned upon me today that getting people to use Slack, Zoom, Teams, or another internal collaboration hub in lieu of email reminds me of this classic *Seinfeld*. ## Simon Says: Use the fork. We stick to our ways, even when far superior methods exist. Yeah, [change is hard](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/communication/slack-and-change-management/). ### Episode 31: Remote Work, Diversity, and Politics in the Workplace With Rohit Bhargava URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-31-rohit-bhargava/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T18:44:21.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/rohit-jpeg-1.jpg) Bestselling author [Rohit Bhargava](https://www.rohitbhargava.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me to talk about the spectrum of work, diversity and inclusion, what happened and Basecamp, and the role of political discussions in the workplace. --- [WANT EARLY ACCESS TO PODCAST EPISODES? ➡️](https://www.patreon.com/philsimon?ref=philsimon.com) ### How Not to Start a Book URL: https://www.philsimon.com/how-not-to-start-a-book/ Last updated: 2025-12-18T03:22:25.000Z An absurdly complex 85-word sentence right off the bat all but guarantees crickets, confusion, or both. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 30: HR and Hygge With Zendesk's Danielle Newton URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-30-danielle-newton/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:18.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/newton-jpeg-1.jpg) Danielle Newton is the Global Director, Workplace Experience at [Zendesk](https://www.zendesk.com/?ref=philsimon.com). She joins me for an illuminating chat about remote work, Hygge, location designations, and how her company has handled this vastly new work environment. --- ### Does using collaboration hubs correlate with better outcomes? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/collaboration-hubs-outcomes/ Last updated: 2025-06-20T23:03:16.000Z A personal and decidedly unscientific analysis. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### In Which I Stitch Together Booleans, Books, and Influence URL: https://www.philsimon.com/booleans-books-and-influence/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T22:38:02.000Z Yeah, the three concepts are related. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 29: Psychological Safety With Author Leo Bottary URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-29-leo-bottary/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:18.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/leo-1.jpg) [](https://leobottary.com/?ref=philsimon.com)[Leo Bottary](https://leobottary.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me for a multifaceted discussion on management, collaboration, and communication. He's the author of three books, most recently [*Peernovation: What Peer Advisory Groups Can Teach Us About Building High Performing Teams*](https://amzn.to/3nlkRhD?ref=philsimon.com). We talk about servant leadership, golf, basketball, and organizational learning. --- ### Episode 28: Workplace Transformation With Nellie Hayat of VergeSense URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-28-nellie-hayat/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:18.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/nellie-hayat-1.jpg) [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellie-hayat/?ref=philsimon.com)[Nellie Hayat](https://www.linkedin.com/in/nellie-hayat/?ref=philsimon.com), head of Workplace Transformation at VergeSense, pops by. We discuss [HSBC's decision to abandon offices for its top brass](https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/19/business/hsbc-exec-office-canary-wharf/index.html?ref=philsimon.com), performance management, trust, changes in real estate, transparency, and Stripe. --- ### Nailing Your Book's Title and Subtitle Is Really Hard—and Essential. URL: https://www.philsimon.com/nailing-book-title-subtitle/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T19:21:07.000Z Thoughts on the most important ten or so words that authors write. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 27: Organizational Rock Stars With Dr. Rebecca Kehoe of Cornell University URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-27-rebecca-kehoe/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:18.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/rebecca-kehoe_headshot-rebecca-kehoe-1.jpg) [](https://www.ilr.cornell.edu/people/rebecca-kehoe?ref=philsimon.com)[Dr. Rebecca Kehoe](https://www.ilr.cornell.edu/people/rebecca-kehoe?ref=philsimon.com) joins me. She is an Associate Professor of Human Resource Studies at Cornell University. We talk about her research into stars, whether the pandemic has given them more or less power, and companies such as Uber, Google, and Amazon. --- ### Episode 26: Teams and Roosters With Microsoft's Shiraz Cupala URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-26-shiraz-cupala/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:18.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/shiraz-jpeg-1.jpg) [](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirazcupala/?ref=philsimon.com)[Shiraz Cupala](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirazcupala/?ref=philsimon.com) of Microsoft joins me. Cupala is the Product Leader for Microsoft Teams Meetings. We talk about AI, machine learning, the power of hubs and spokes, and roosters. --- ### Custom Editions of Reimagining Collaboration Available URL: https://www.philsimon.com/custom-editions-of-reimagining-collaboration-available/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T20:10:38.000Z It's finally happening: [Employees are returning to the office](https://fortune.com/2021/04/14/covid-return-to-work-back-to-the-office-wfh-end-of-work-from-home-recovery/?ref=philsimon.com). Workers are looking for clarity, [flexibility](https://www.surveymonkey.com/curiosity/future-of-work-zoom-poll/?ref=philsimon.com), and, in many instances, [a reason to leave their homes](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/hybrid-work?ref=philsimon.com). Brass tacks: It's no understatement to say that these are unprecedented and disruptive times. Foolish is the soul who thinks that everyone will permanently return to pre-pandemic work schedules and mores. Against this backdrop, I'm making custom editions of my award-winning book *Reimagining Collaboration* available. Here's how it would work. Executives agree with [the general message of the book](https://www.philsimon.com/books/reimagining-collaboration/). (#VirtueSignaling) Still, they want to put their own spin on it and give to their employees and/or customers. They'll do this by writing four- to five-page forewords with their individual takes on the fascinating future of work and what their organization is doing to prepare. Ideally, their takes align nicely with the core themes of *Reimagining Collaboration*. What's more, the execs' names and titles would adorn the cover of this version of the book. Finally, we could put the organization's logo on the cover, probably in the upper right-hand corner. Here's a laughably crude mock-up. Final versions will look much better. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/customcopies-1.png) Click to embiggen. ## Target Audiences I can envision a number of different homes for bespoke versions of my book. In no particular order: - Upscale furniture outlets such as [Steelcase](https://www.steelcase.com/?ref=philsimon.com), Haworth, ELEMENTS, HNI Corporation, Inscape, Officescapes, and Herman Miller. For the most part, these companies are smartly [leaning in to the WFH phenomenon](https://www.hermanmiller.com/work-from-home/?ref=philsimon.com). With respect to my book, the opportunity here is two-fold. Employees could receive books as gifts. (Better than [bees](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J2kc4oZTVU&ref=philsimon.com), I guess.) As for consumers, I could also see them as throw-ins with qualified purchases or salable products with SKUs. - FedexKinko's, UPS Stores, Staples, OfficeDepot, and their ilk. - Co-working spaces. - Book-subscription services, particularly those aimed at business audiences. - Business book clubs. - Business groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce. - Hotels. - Companies that specialize in [corporate gifts and swag](https://www.wsj.com/articles/gifting-as-a-service-companies-want-to-rid-the-world-of-unused-corporate-swag-11618999201?ref=philsimon.com). - Conferences, even if I'm not [speaking](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking) at them. - HR think tanks such as [SHRM](https://www.shrm.org/?ref=philsimon.com). Members could receive as physical copies as part of their annual dues. - Universities, especially for exec-education programs. - HR consulting outfits such as Mercer and Deloitte. - [Prefab office manufacturers](https://www.dwell.com/article/prefab-home-office-accessory-dwelling-units-efab1374?ref=philsimon.com). > I can envision a number of different homes for bespoke versions of this book. ## Other Logistics At the risk of stating the obvious, paperback versions will cost far less than their hardcover counterparts—although both are on the table. To make the per-unit price cost-effective, an organization will need to purchase no fewer than 200 copies. Larger orders will drop the per-unit price considerably. If we hit 1,000, then the number really plummets. Oh, and copies—no matter how many—do not include rights to the book's intellectual property. That stays with me. [LET'S DO THIS](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) ### Episode 25: Personas and Executive Alignment With Tamara Adlin URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-25-tamara-adlin/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:18.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/tamara-adlin-1.jpg) Author and UX expert [ Tamara Adlin](https://adlininc.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me for a rocking chat. We talk about personas, collaboration, shiny new things, [the four stages of competence](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four%5Fstages%5Fof%5Fcompetence?ref=philsimon.com), and the classic Pink Floyd album *Dark Side of the Moon*. --- ### Episode 24: Don't Be an Endpoint With Kevin Roose URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-24-kevin-roose/ Last updated: 2025-08-04T23:03:47.000Z [Kevin Roose](https://www.kevinroose.com/?ref=philsimon.com) of *The New York Times* pops by for a chat about his new book [*Futureproof: 9 Rules for Humans in the Age of Automation*](https://amzn.to/2PbKWTd?ref=philsimon.com). Read my review of the book [here](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3899585770?type=review&ref=philsimon.com#rating%5F372001858). We talk about Best Buy, Amazon, Google’s scary-accurate AI tool, remote work, and ways to retain our humanity when machines rule the world. ### Episode 23: Peering Into the Future of Work With Brian Elliott URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-23-brian-elliott/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:18.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/brian2-3.jpg) [](https://twitter.com/brianpelliott?ref=philsimon.com)[Brian Elliott](https://twitter.com/brianpelliott?ref=philsimon.com), Executive Leader of the [Future Forum](https://futureforum.com/?ref=philsimon.com), joins me for a fascinating discussion on the dimensions of collaboration. We talk about flexibility, inclusivity, and connection. Oh, and his dog Yuki. --- ### Episode 22: Natalie Angelillo Offers Up Collaboration Advice URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-22-natalie-angelillo/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:19.000Z My friend ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/natalie-jpeg-1.jpg) [](https://twitter.com/natangelillo?ref=philsimon.com)[Natalie Angelillo](https://twitter.com/natangelillo?ref=philsimon.com) of OfferUp joins me for a rollicking discussion on how her company has handled the WFH environment. We discuss the adoption of Slack at her company and how it evolved over time. She also gives me her insights on the future of the office. Oh, and we talk about donuts. --- ### Episode 21: Collaboration Etiquette With Toni Cowan-Brown URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-21-toni-cowan-brown/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:19.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/toni-1.jpg) Firebrand [Toni Cowan-Brown](https://www.tonicowanbrown.com/?ref=philsimon.com) pops by for a lively chat about a host of different topics, including remote meetings, workplace etiquette in the WFH world, Zoom, Slack, Formula One racing, Clubhouse, *Reimagining Collaboration*, and more. Hell, it's probably easier if I list what we *didn't* discuss in this action-packed episode. --- ### NFT of Signed Reimagining Collaboration Cover URL: https://www.philsimon.com/nft-of-signed-reimagining-collaboration-cover/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T19:17:59.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/reimagining-collaboration-formats-5.jpg) If you haven't heard of [non-fungible tokens](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-fungible%5Ftoken?ref=philsimon.com#:~:text=A%20non%2Dfungible%20token%20%28NFT,auctioned%20at%20online%20NFT%20marketplaces.), I suspect that you will soon. I've been learning about them over the past few months, and the potential impresses me. (My doppelgänger Prof G's [recent YouTube show](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZLDwnXGzOM&ref=philsimon.com) and [this Planet Money pod](https://open.spotify.com/episode/7GiTmf0koicq1e58E8ycHo?si=rYbkThInSmKb1%5FDanwTOVw&ref=philsimon.com) were particularly enlightening) For instance, some bands believe that they represent [the future of music](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/kings-of-leon-nft-album-art-b1815695.html?ref=philsimon.com). To this end, I'd decided to create an NFT for a digitally signed cover of *Reimagining Collaboration*. If this goes well with this experiment, then I may do the same for the other books in my cannon. No, I'm not expecting to fetch a price comparable to that of [the first tweet](https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/07/tech/jack-dorsey-nft-twitter/index.html?ref=philsimon.com), never mind [Beeple](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/12/arts/beeple-nft-buyer-ether.html?ref=philsimon.com). Still, the geek in me likes experimenting with these types of things. A recent conversation with my friend [Alan Berkson](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanberkson?ref=philsimon.com) clinched it. It can be yours for 0.3 [Ethereum](https://ethereum.org/en/?ref=philsimon.com). For more on NFTs ... ### Audiobook Version of Reimagining Collaboration URL: https://www.philsimon.com/audiobook-version-reimagining-collaboration/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T22:39:21.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/rc-grouping-8.jpg) Audiobook fans rejoice. You can now listen to *Reimagining Collaboration* if that's your thing. As of today, it is live on [Apple Books](https://tinyurl.com/yen6vbdz?ref=philsimon.com), [Kobo](https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/reimagining-collaboration-1?ref=philsimon.com), [ChirpBooks](https://www.chirpbooks.com/audiobooks/reimagining-collaboration-by-phil-simon?ref=philsimon.com), and [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Phil%5FSimon%5FReimagining%5FCollaboration?id=AQAAAEDcUhMS3M&ref=philsimon.com). (I'm going to bring Audible up with Jeff the next time he calls. I suspect that it will drop on the other sites and stores in the coming days. For a one-chapter excerpt, head to [this page](https://www.philsimon.com/book-excerpts/). Props to rock star [Gary Bennett](https://www.garybennettreads.com/?ref=philsimon.com) and his dulcet tones. Dude makes me seem smart. ### Episode 20: Collaborating at Amazon With Bill Carr URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-20-bill-carr/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:19.000Z ![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5f91f18961f6811aa43d93f4/5f91f18961f68157263d940c_BILL_GOLD-p-500.jpeg) [Bill Carr](https://www.workingbackwards.com/?ref=philsimon.com) is the co-author of [*Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon*](https://amzn.to/2ZJZBXS?ref=philsimon.com). He joins me to talk about collaboration at the e-commerce behemoth. We discuss how the company gets so much done and succeeds where so many others fail. --- ### In Defense of Slack URL: https://www.philsimon.com/in-defense-of-slack/ Last updated: 2025-08-05T18:19:40.000Z Cal Newport is a smart dude whose new book is based upon two fundamental misconceptions. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 19: Distributed Teams With John O'Duinn URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-19-john-oduinn/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:19.000Z Distributed-teams expert, author, and fellow member of the bald brotherhood John O'Duinn pops in for a lively discussion. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/john-1.jpg) We talk about his book [*Distributed Teams: The Art and Practice of Working Together While Physically Apart*](https://amzn.to/2OEUNR7?ref=philsimon.com). We also cover [Vermont’s Remote Worker Program](https://legislature.vermont.gov/assets/Legislative-Reports/2019-Remote-Worker-Report-ACCD.pdf?ref=philsimon.com). (Yeah, that's a thing.) --- ### Why Effective Collaboration Requires Lifelong Learning URL: https://www.philsimon.com/why-effective-collaboration-requires-lifelong-learning/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T23:58:47.000Z Thoughts on nudging others to change their ways. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 18: Better Virtual Meetings With Karin Reed URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-18-karin-reed/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:19.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/karin-reed-3.jpg) Author, Emmy winner, and overall smart cookie [Karin Reed](https://speakerdynamics.com/?ref=philsimon.com) pops by to chat about her new book [*Suddenly Virtual: Making Remote Meetings Work*](https://amzn.to/39UAOoC?ref=philsimon.com). We talk about the research behind remote meetings, emotional labor, and surface acting. Don't know what the last two concepts are? Neither did I until she taught me a thing or six. --- ### Episode 17: Collaboration Enlightenment With Brian Kropp URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/17-brian-kropp/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:19.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/brian-1.jpg) [](https://www.gartner.com/analyst/67144/Brian-Kropp?ref=philsimon.com)[Brian Kropp of Gartner Research](https://www.gartner.com/analyst/67144/Brian-Kropp?ref=philsimon.com) joins me to talk about his impressive body of work. We discuss employee incentives, flexibility, whether collaboration is a goal or just a means to an end, and the future of work. It's a rocking conversation and I had a blast. --- ### Zoom Third-party Apps Have Exploded in the Last Year. Here's Why. URL: https://www.philsimon.com/zoom-app-explosion/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T01:09:33.000Z Called it. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### On Zoom, Experimentation, and Cat Filters URL: https://www.philsimon.com/zoom-cat-filters/ Last updated: 2025-07-30T18:02:55.000Z Thoughts on why so many of us are afraid to go beyond the bare minimum. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 16: Emoji Reaction Triggers With Elizabeth Kinsey URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-16-elizabeth-kinsey/ Last updated: 2025-06-20T02:57:46.000Z The dynamic [Elizabeth Kinsey](https://twitter.com/eakinsey?ref=philsimon.com) of Slack joins me to talk about a wide array of work- and tech-related topics. We discuss who's ultimately responsible for collaboration in a firm, the workplace norms of tools such as Slack, some ways to easily automate how employees work, and ‎[the *MADWomen* podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-madwomen-podcast/id1160554321?ref=philsimon.com). --- ### Early Thoughts on Microsoft Viva URL: https://www.philsimon.com/early-thoughts-on-microsoft-viva/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T01:13:36.000Z The company is going all-in on the Hub-Spoke Model of Collaboration. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 15: How Startup Employees Collaborate With Emily Kennedy URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-15-emily-kennedy/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T20:23:21.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/emily-kennedy-1.jpg) [](https://www.twitter.com/heyemilykennedy?ref=philsimon.com)[Emily Kennedy](https://www.twitter.com/heyemilykennedy?ref=philsimon.com) of [Marinus Analytics](https://www.marinusanalytics.com/?ref=philsimon.com) and fellow Carnegie Mellon alumnus joins me for a rocking chat about collaboration in a startup environment. We talk about Slack, calendars, and the other tools she uses. She also mentions unique challenges that startups encounter and her methods for overcoming them. --- ### Episode 14: Reviewing the Research With Kate Lister URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-14-kate-lister/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T20:23:21.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/kate-lister-1.jpg) President of [Global Workplace Analytics](https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/?ref=philsimon.com) Kate Lister pops by for an engaging and informative chat about her work. We talk about collaboration, the future of work, the surprising savings and benefits of remote work, and the state of contemporary collaboration tools. --- ### What do leadership and employee training have to do with collaboration? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/leadership-collaboration-and-employee-training/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:28.000Z Think that all of these topics are unrelated? Think again. Video made with [wave.video](https://wave.video/?tap%5Fa=19272-291192&tap%5Fs=1276144-07c073&utm%5Fsource=philsimon&utm%5Fcampaign=Wave.video+Affiliate+Program&utm%5Fmedium=affiliate). [BUY THE BOOK](https://amzn.to/2JbSkLP?ref=philsimon.com) ### Citrix Is (Probably) Buying Wrike URL: https://www.philsimon.com/citrix-wrike/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:28.000Z Last year's Slack acquisition by Salesforce raised plenty of eyebrows. (Listen to my thoughts on it [here](https://www.philsimon.com/special-edition-salesforce-is-acquiring-slack/).) Now, Citrix is reportedly set to gobble up project-management tool Wrike [for a cool $2B](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-17/citrix-is-said-in-talks-to-buy-vista-s-wrike-for-2-billion-plus?ref=philsimon.com). That's a lot of cheddar. It's not hard to read the tea leaves. Citrix wants to position itself as a viable [internal collaboration hub](https://www.philsimon.com/books/reimagining-collaboration/) that competes with: - Microsoft - Salesforce with Slack - Google Workspace (rebranded for the umpteenth time from G Suite) ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. In the mad scramble to become proper collaboration hubs, expect many large vendors to bolster their existing offerings. I wouldn't be surprised if Box.net, Dropbox, Asana, Airtable, Smartsheet, and others are not independent companies this time next year. Zoom's eye-popping $111B market cap makes it a prime contender to go shopping. [Phil Simon: How to Handle Support for Decommissioned Enterprise AppsDecommissioned enterprise apps affect all organizations at some point. Learn what to do when a vendor pulls the plug.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/cropped-newlogo-39.png)Phil Simon![](https://i.imgur.com/kwq9ADS.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/technology/how-to-handle-support-for-decommissioned-enterprise-apps/) ## Simon Says As I write in *Reimagining Collaboration*, it usually takes only a few minutes connect hubs to wide variety of third-party apps and systems that I call *spokes*. Of course, that nuance doesn't always resonate with IT decision-makers. Sometimes it's better to ship with native offerings and integrations. In this case, that feature is evidently worth $2B. ### Episode 13: Figuring Things Out With Kerry Barrett URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-13-kerry-barrett/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T20:23:21.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/kerry-barrett-1.jpg) Emmy award-winning TV news anchor, consultant, trainer, and speaking coach [Kerry Barrett](https://kerrybarrettconsulting.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me for an illuminating chat about her collaboration world. We talk about the inherent trade-offs necessary for independent folks and why she needs to use different tools—some of which are decidedly old school. --- ### Should your organization use more than one internal collaboration hub? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/more-than-one-hub/ Last updated: 2025-06-22T23:52:41.000Z Thoughts on whether it's a good idea to split your knowledge. TL;DR: It's not. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 12: No Writer Is an Island With Pete Croatto URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-12-pete-croatto/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T20:23:22.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/pete-1.jpg) Kick-ass writer, Jersey boy, and overall mensch [Pete Croatto](https://twitter.com/PeteCroatto?ref=philsimon.com) joins me to talk about basketball and his ridiculously good new book [*From Hang Time to Prime Time: Business, Entertainment, and the Birth of the Modern-Day NBA*](https://amzn.to/37yFO28?ref=philsimon.com). We also discuss the often surprisingly collaborative nature of writing and research. --- ### Collaboration Hubs and the Future of Work URL: https://www.philsimon.com/collaboration-hubs-future-of-work/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:28.000Z I'm hard-pressed to think of a business-related topic that's generating more buzz today than the future of work. My two cents: Internal collaboration hubs will play a pivotal role. Video made with [wave.video](https://wave.video/?tap%5Fa=19272-291192&tap%5Fs=1276144-07c073&utm%5Fsource=philsimon&utm%5Fcampaign=Wave.video+Affiliate+Program&utm%5Fmedium=affiliate). [BUY THE BOOK](https://amzn.to/2JbSkLP?ref=philsimon.com) ### The Hub-Spoke Model of Collaboration URL: https://www.philsimon.com/hub-spoke-model-of-collaboration/ Last updated: 2026-03-26T22:04:26.000Z Here's the big idea at the center of Reimagining Collaboration. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Why I Wrote Reimagining Collaboration URL: https://www.philsimon.com/why-i-wrote-reimagining-collaboration/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:29.000Z As it turns out, there was a big idea at the heart of *Zoom For Dummies* and *Slack For Dummies*—one that revolved around hubs and spokes. Video made with [wave.video](https://wave.video/?tap%5Fa=19272-291192&tap%5Fs=1276144-07c073&utm%5Fsource=philsimon&utm%5Fcampaign=Wave.video+Affiliate+Program&utm%5Fmedium=affiliate). [BUY THE BOOK](https://amzn.to/2JbSkLP?ref=philsimon.com) ### Episode 11: Taking Collaboration to the Next Level With Bear Douglas of Slack URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-11-bear-douglas/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T20:23:24.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/bear2-1.png) Slack's [Bear Douglas](https://twitter.com/beardigsit?ref=philsimon.com) pops by for an illuminating chat. We discuss how companies are doing mind-blowing things with her company's collaboration hub and its spokes. We talk about [Hearst](https://www.hearst.com/?ref=philsimon.com), [Docusign](https://www.docusign.com/?ref=philsimon.com), [Airtable](https://airtable.com/invite/r/VY5K0kFP?ref=philsimon.com), and other organizations pioneering the moves to automation and more effective collaboration. --- ### A Simple Model of Collaboration Maturity URL: https://www.philsimon.com/collaboration-maturity-model/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:29.000Z A quick video based on Reimagining Collaboration on how to think about this topic. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Publication of Reimagining Collaboration URL: https://www.philsimon.com/publication-reimagining-collaboration/ Last updated: 2025-08-24T14:28:20.000Z My eleventh book is now out. (Cue [*This Is Spinal Tap* reference](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOO5S4vxi0o&ref=philsimon.com).) It's called *Reimagining Collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and the Post-COVID World of Work*. ## The Book in a Nutshell Over the past five years, organizations adopted Slack, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams in droves. Think of COVID-19 as pouring gasoline on the fire. The pandemic didn't start a trend as much as it accelerated an existing one. Unfortunately, far too many of us mistakenly view these applications as Email 2.0\. As a result, we are missing out on extraordinary opportunities to create more collaborative work environments, increase organizational transparency, reduce manual work, make our work lives less stressful, simplify core business processes, and much more. > We have lacked a holistic framework to understand the remarkable power of new collaboration technologies. At least until now. Blame ignorance, not malice. We have lacked a holistic framework to understand the remarkable power of new collaboration technologies, much less unleash them. At least until now. In *Reimagining Collaboration*, I provide this essential framework. At the risk of being immodest, I advance a new, bold, and holistic model of work—one based upon [hubs and spokes](https://www.philsimon.com/services/consulting). No theoretical text, I offer concrete tips for companies and groups on how to transform the way they work. I haven't been this excited about a book since *The Age of the Platform: How Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google Have Redefined Business*. That book did [pretty, pretty, pretty good](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O%5F05qJTeNNI&ref=philsimon.com). [Collaboration and SingingThoughts on the relationship between the two.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-131.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1517230878791-4d28214057c2)](https://www.philsimon.com/collaboration-and-singing/) ## A Long Strange Trip To call the route that my new baby took circuitous is the acme of understatement. Long story short, *Reimagining Collaboration* went through a number of different versions. In other words, it was the antithesis of my last two books: *Slack For Dummies* and *Zoom For Dummies*. Still, I couldn't be more pleased with the end result. This is exactly the book that I wanted to write. Buy it now or I'll send hired goons to your home. Note that this is the first in a four-book series on the future of work. [BUY THE BOOK](https://amzn.to/2JbSkLP?ref=philsimon.com) ### Episode 10: Clarity and Collaboration With Josh Bernoff URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-10-josh-bernoff/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T20:23:24.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/bernoff-3.jpg) Best-selling author [Josh Bernoff](https://withoutbullshit.com/?ref=philsimon.com) is today’s guest on the pod. His book [*Writing Without Bullshit*](https://amzn.to/3oyskJC?ref=philsimon.com) is a modern-day classic. We talk about the merits of working for a large organization vs. being an independent. We also explore the relationship between clarity and effective collaboration. --- ### Great Enterprise Software Vendors Steal URL: https://www.philsimon.com/great-enterprise-software-vendors-steal/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T19:24:19.000Z “Good artists copy. Great artists steal.” —Pablo Picasso ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/3d-1-16.jpg) No, the venerated artist wasn't talking about software vendors, but his words apply there nonetheless. In the following video, I riff on his tried-and-true words. The video above includes just a few examples. I could have gone on with others. For example, [Microsoft Teams Rooms](https://rooms.microsoft.com/?ref=philsimon.com) apes much of functionality of [Zoom Rooms](https://zoom.us/zoomrooms?ref=philsimon.com). Video made with [wave.video](https://wave.video/?tap%5Fa=19272-291192&tap%5Fs=1276144-07c073&utm%5Fsource=philsimon&utm%5Fcampaign=Wave.video+Affiliate+Program&utm%5Fmedium=affiliate). [BUY THE BOOK](https://amzn.to/2JbSkLP?ref=philsimon.com) ### Excerpt From Reimagining Collaboration URL: https://www.philsimon.com/excerpt-reimagining-collaboration/ Last updated: 2025-08-27T20:56:52.000Z Here's a sneak peak of my eleventh book. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 9: Collaboration and Strategy With Doug Laney URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-9-doug-laney/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T20:23:25.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/douglaney-1.jpg) [](https://amzn.to/3mPdAWd?ref=philsimon.com)[*Infonomics*](https://amzn.to/3mPdAWd?ref=philsimon.com) author [Doug Laney](https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglaney/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me for a chat about strategy, tools, gamification, virtual conferences, and enterprise tech. We also peer into the future. What do conferences look like in two years? We also talk about [Miro](https://miro.com/app/?ref=philsimon.com) and [Virbela](https://www.virbela.com/?ref=philsimon.com). --- ### Reimagining Collaboration Book Trailer URL: https://www.philsimon.com/reimagining-collaboration-book-trailer/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T19:24:20.000Z ![](https://media.giphy.com/media/6a2cvuIcsQFylltXQF/giphy.gif) I've been geeking out with [wave.video](https://wave.video/?tap%5Fa=19272-291192&tap%5Fs=1276144-07c073&utm%5Fsource=philsimon&utm%5Fcampaign=Wave.video+Affiliate+Program&utm%5Fmedium=affiliate) over the past few months. Among my creations is the following book trailer for *Reimagining Collaboration.* Enjoy. You can [preorder the paperback version of the book on Amazon now](https://amzn.to/2JbSkLP?ref=philsimon.com). It will be live on other sites shortly. [BUY THE BOOK](https://amzn.to/2JbSkLP?ref=philsimon.com) ### Episode 8: Collaboration and Stress With Dr. Mary Donohue URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-8-dr-mary-donohue/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T13:32:51.000Z Firebrand and force of nature Dr. Mary Donohue of [The Digital Wellness Center](https://www.thedigitalwellnesscenter.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me to talk about the intersection of stress, collaboration, and technology. We also discuss her new book [*Message Received: 7 Steps to Break Down Communication Barriers at Work*](https://amzn.to/39qAAah?ref=philsimon.com). (A true counterpart to my own book *Message Not Received: Why Business Communication Is Broken and How to Fix It*.) Oh, and bubble baths and Dianna Ross—I'm not kidding—come up during our lively chat. --- ### Episode 7: Collaboration, AI, and Higher Ed With Dr. Terri Griffith URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-7-terri-griffith/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T20:23:25.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/terri-1.jpg) The insanely smart [Dr. Terri Griffith](https://terrigriffith.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me for a far-reaching conversation about higher education, privacy, data residency, and collaboration. (I try to keep up with her.) We talk about the future of academia and why it's silly to view collaboration tools in isolation.Transcription from [otter.ai](https://otter.ai/referrals/MHNP25GE?ref=philsimon.com). --- ### How Many Slack Channels Do You Need? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/how-many-slack-channels-do-you-need/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:29.000Z In this quick video, I answer this frequently asked question. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Special Edition: Salesforce Is Acquiring Slack URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/special-edition-salesforce-is-acquiring-slack/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T20:23:26.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/slack_black-2.png) In this special edition, I offer my thoughts on Salesforce's $28 billion acquisition of Slack. --- ### Thoughts on Salesforce's Acquisition of Slack URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thoughts-salesforce-acquisition-of-slack/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:29.000Z The collaboration hub isn't dying. It's just finding a new home. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Episode 6: The CEO's Perspective With Chris Byers of Formstack URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-6-chris-byers/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T20:23:26.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/chrisbyers-1.jpg) In this episode, [Formstack](https://www.formstack.com/?ref=philsimon.com) CEO [Chris Byers](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rchrisbyers/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me to talk about the future of work, whiteboards, automation, the need for in-person meetings, and resistance to new technologies. --- ### Episode 5: Different Hats With Dorie Clark URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-5-dorie-clark/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T20:23:26.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/dorie-1.jpg) [](https://www.dorieclark.com/?ref=philsimon.com)[Dorie Clark](https://www.dorieclark.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me on the pod to talk about collaboration and the different hats she wears. We discuss how, when it comes to collaboration, one size never fits all. We also delve into the unspoken norms and underlying power dynamics when people collaborate. --- ### Sample Pages From Reimagining Collaboration URL: https://www.philsimon.com/sample-pages-from-reimagining-collaboration/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T21:38:52.000Z ![](https://media.giphy.com/media/6a2cvuIcsQFylltXQF/giphy.gif) As I write these words, the layout for [*Reimagining Collaboration*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/reimagining-collaboration/) is taking place. Here are a few sample pages from book number eleven. Boom. A few design elements may change, but this is the gist of it. We're looking at roughly 228 pages, give or take. ### Episode 4: Leadership, Productivity, and Collaboration With Mike Vardy URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-4-leaderrship-mike-vardy/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T20:23:27.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/vardy-1.jpg) My friend and brother from another mother [Mike Vardy](https://productivityist.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me for an animated discussion. The productivity guru and overall smart dude talks about leadership, collaboration, and how tools like Slack, [Asana](https://asana.com/?ref=philsimon.com), and [Front](https://frontapp.com/?ref=philsimon.com) alone don't solve our collaboration problems. Go Canada. 🇨🇦 --- ### Episode 3: The Intersection of Motivation and Collaboration With Todd Henry URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-3-todd-henry/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T20:23:27.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/toddhenry-1.jpg) Author [Todd Henry](https://www.toddhenry.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me to talk about the intersection of motivation and collaboration. We discuss his new book [*The Motivation Code*](https://amzn.to/32esCfK?ref=philsimon.com). I learned how the factors that motivate one person may work in precisely the opposite direction for another. --- ### Episode 2: Emojis and Proprioception With Dr. Nick Morgan URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-2-dr-nick-morgan/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T20:23:27.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/dr_nick-1.jpg) Renowned communications expert [Dr. Nick Morgan](https://publicwords.com/?ref=philsimon.com) joins me for a lively and far-reaching discussion. We talk about about body language, the science behind Zoom fatigue, emojis, and other lessons from his book [*Can You Hear Me?: How to Connect with People in a Virtual World*](https://amzn.to/2JntTuz?ref=philsimon.com). --- ### Episode 1: Not Missing a Beat With Jay Baer URL: https://www.philsimon.com/podcast/episode-1-jay-baer/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T15:16:19.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/jay_baer-2.jpg) Insanely prolific author, snappy dresser, and Hall of Fame keynote speaker [Jay Baer](https://jaybaer.com/for-event-planners?ref=philsimon.com) joins me. We talk about running a remote company and how it has evolved over the past twelve years. We also chat about some of his favorite collaboration tools, including [Sococo](https://www.sococo.com/?ref=philsimon.com), [Vidyard](https://www.vidyard.com/?ref=philsimon.com), and [Teamwork](https://www.teamwork.com/?ref=philsimon.com). --- ### Zoom For Dummies Audiobook Coming Soon URL: https://www.philsimon.com/audiobook-of-zoom-for-dummies-coming-soon/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T18:08:34.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/zoom-for-dummies-4.jpg) For those of you who like audiobooks and Zoom, good news: On October 27 of 2020, you can have your cake and eat it too. Click [here](https://amzn.to/2xa4GOD?ref=philsimon.com) to buy it or listen to a two-minute sample below. Props to [Gary Bennett](https://www.garybennettreads.com/?ref=philsimon.com). Yes, baby. Moonwalking it out for the flock ... ### Thinking Differently About Collaboration URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thinking-differently-about-collaboration/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:30.000Z We have entered the era of hubs and spokes. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Collaboration and Singing URL: https://www.philsimon.com/collaboration-and-singing/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:30.000Z Thoughts on the relationship between the two. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Three Challenges That I’ve Faced as a Writer URL: https://www.philsimon.com/three-challenges-writer/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T18:34:35.000Z It's been more than a decade since I could accurately call myself a *professional writer*. (Click [here](https://public.tableau.com/profile/philsimonasu?ref=philsimon.com#!/vizhome/PhilSimonBooks/BookDashboard?publish=yes) for an interactive Tableau dataviz, including a timeline of my publications.) To be sure, I have found the work largely rewarding—especially [when you hold one of your books in your hand](https://twitter.com/philsimon/status/1287086035864674304?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1287086035864674304%7Ctwgr%5E&ref%5Furl=http%3A%2F%2Fphilsimon.flywheelsites.com%2Fbooks%2Fzoom-for-dummies%2F&ref=philsimon.com) or when your [clients](https://www.philsimon.com/services/writing) acknowledge how you've helped them. Still, any writer faces plenty of challenges. In this way, it's just like any other job. [My ghostwriting agency](https://gothamghostwriters.com/?ref=philsimon.com) recently asked for a lengthy and insightful guest post on the subject and I obliged. It's August in Phoenix during a pandemic. Translation: I have the time. [READ THE ARTICLE](https://gothamghostwriters.com/beyond-writers-block-challenges-writers-face-in-their-careers/?ref=philsimon.com) ### Looking for Collaboration Case Studies for My Next Book URL: https://www.philsimon.com/collaboration-case-studies/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T00:30:57.000Z While I fancy myself a better writer than a decade ago, all of my books sport a number of commonalities: - Plenty of pop-culture references - An absence of jargon - Case studies With respect to the latter, I couldn't imagine scribing a text rife with preaching. To quote from one of my favorite Rush songs, "[Show me don't tell me](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8FBjXaoDTw&ref=philsimon.com)." To this end, I'm once again soliciting case studies for my new book [*Reimagining Collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and the Post-COVID World of Work*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/reimagining-collaboration/). Specifically, I'd like to talk to you if any of the following statements is true: - You've encountered difficulty collaborating with colleagues who refused to move away from e-mail. - You've been able to convince skeptics to use new collaboration tools, such as Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Chat. - You've left an organization because of its overreliance on e-mail. - You've got some good collaboration stories to tell. I'm fine with anonymizing your name and organization if you like. [LET'S CHAT](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ### Announcing My Next Book URL: https://www.philsimon.com/11th-book/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T00:30:45.000Z My favorite actors, musicians, and writers zig as much as they zag. That is, they don't just churn out the same idea over and over again. Nothing against bands such as AC/DC, but their albums never really evolved all that much. Rush and Marillion, however, frequently change approaches. That's how they grow and ultimately become better at their craft. You just can't typecast them. I've got no musical chops, but writers can benefit from taking the same tack. I decided while writing *Zoom For Dummies* that my next book would be more conceptual in nature. In other words, I wouldn't be detailing the ins and outs how one specific application worked. (As a parallel, Rush mentioned after writing 1978's *Hemispheres* they wanted to move to shorter songs.) Software vendors often release new features on a daily or weekly basis; keeping up with all of the changes is exhausting and ultimately futile. After all, books eventually need to ship. They reflect snapshots in time. Way it goes ... ## A Big Question > Effective collaboration means embracing a new mind-set just as much as new applications. At the core of my next book is the question: How can employees collaborate more effectively? It's a simple query without a simple answer. What's more, it's a critical question right now. In-person meetings and traditional office-based work are not returning anytime soon. Ditto for classes, but that's a topic for another day. ![](https://media.giphy.com/media/6a2cvuIcsQFylltXQF/giphy.gif) Yes, effectively navigating the new normal requires the use of new tools. That's only half of the story, though. True collaboration means embracing a new mind-set as much as new applications. In a way, whether an organization uses Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Chat, or some other newfangled collaboration tool doesn’t matter. The tools’ features are converging—a trend that will only intensify in the future. Case in point: Slack had long [provided private channels](https://slack.com/help/articles/213185467-Convert-a-channel-to-private?ref=philsimon.com#:~:text=From%20your%20desktop%2C%20open%20the,Change%20to%20a%20private%20channel.) while Microsoft Teams did not. Given their utility, you didn't need to be a soothsayer to predict that Microsoft soon would ape Slack's valuable functionality and [it ultimately did](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/private-channels?ref=philsimon.com). The [fast-follower](https://hbr.org/2012/06/first-mover-or-fast-follower?ref=philsimon.com) strategy at its finest. ## Simon Says: Stay tuned. I'll provide more updates in the coming weeks. Expect this book soon. ### When Client Training Expectations and Reality Collide URL: https://www.philsimon.com/client-training-expectations/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T18:32:32.000Z Spotting red flags for custom classes. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Ruminations on the Future of Work URL: https://www.philsimon.com/ruminations-future-work/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:31.000Z What might typical work day look like in 2028? _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Zoom Tip #5: Zooming in on Yourself URL: https://www.philsimon.com/zooming-in-on-yourself/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T13:40:42.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/zoom-create-roles-3.jpg) **Updated: October 11, 2021** ​At present, Zoom's Meetings & Chat tool doesn't let you zoom in on yourself. That is, you cannot bring the camera to you make your face or background bigger or small. By way of comparison, you can do this with [Zoom Rooms](https://bit.ly/2XKQIMZ?ref=philsimon.com) by using the camera control in the green box below: ![](https://i.imgur.com/hpmfOv9.jpg) Great, but that factoid doesn't solve the Meetings & Chat problem. Yeah, you can physically move your computer or webcam, but that solution isn't exactly elegant and may not even get the job done depending on what you're trying to accomplish. I suspect that Zoom will remedy this limitation in the near future. Anyone up for a friendly bet? In the interim, Meetings & Chat users are luck if they use a Logitech webcam. Just [download this app](https://support.logi.com/hc/en-001/articles/360049055854?ref=philsimon.com). (The company removed it from the Apple app store because it no longer intends to support it. Case in point: My M1 MacBook Pro won't run it, even with Rosetta 2.) I show how to make the magic happen in the video below. [BUY THE BOOK](https://amzn.to/2JbSkLP?ref=philsimon.com) ### Obliviousness in Higher Education URL: https://www.philsimon.com/obliviousness-higher-education/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:31.000Z Some schools' actions are downright absurd. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Thoughts on Zoom's New Presentation-Sharing Features URL: https://www.philsimon.com/zoom-presentation-sharing-features/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T13:41:12.000Z It's a step in the right direction but it's not quite where it needs to be yet. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Zoom Education at the Bank URL: https://www.philsimon.com/zoom-education-bank/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:31.000Z An everyday encounter illustrates a common misconception with the product. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Thoughts on Best-Selling Authors URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thoughts-on-best-selling-authors/ Last updated: 2025-10-06T22:51:02.000Z Now that *Zoom For Dummies* is out, I can claim that I'm a best-selling author. It's not hard, as long as I put my ethics on hold. I only need to my limit definition of *best-selling author* to a specific category on a popular website, as I've done below. ![](https://content.screencast.com/users/ThePhilSimon/folders/Default/media/97d94e91-fdc7-48a5-977b-17e6e365fad2/screenshot.png) And here as well. I certainly wouldn't put *Zoom For Dummies* in the computer-science bucket, but who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/zoom-for-dummies-ranking-1.jpg) > Shame on authors who make such specious claims. Sadly, plenty of authors don't even do that much. That is, they prominently make this specious claim without a scintilla of proof. [Here](https://i.imgur.com/9Ssl6sm.jpg?ref=philsimon.com) is one of them. Trust me: When it comes to book sales, this particular individual is no Michael Crichton, Michael Lewis, or Malcom Gladwell. Not even close. [Phil Simon: Why I Don’t Blog Every DayJust because you can doesn’t mean that you should.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/cropped-newlogo-95.png)Phil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/everydamnday11-1.jpeg)](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/social-media/why-i-dont-blog-every-day/) ## Simon Says Look, I'm happy that *Zoom For Dummies* is finding an immediate audience. Seriously. You'll never hear me claim otherwise. In fact, the promise of my two new [books](https://www.philsimon.com/books) heavily influenced my decision to leave ASU a few months ago. Still, climbing to the top of a niche category is a [far cry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2J72bub%5FCA&ref=philsimon.com) from landing on the *New York Times* best-seller list. If *Zoom For Dummies* organically sells tens of thousands of copies and my [BookScan](https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/industry-expertise/books/?ref=philsimon.com) numbers reflect that fact, then I'll reconsider my stance. Until then, I'll proudly go old school. I won't make questionable claims about my book sales. And I'll sleep just fine at night. (Well, at least what I consider sleeping.) There's more than enough dishonesty and shading of the truth these days. ### Publication of Zoom For Dummies URL: https://www.philsimon.com/publication-zoom-for-dummies/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T13:32:20.000Z I'm pleased to announce the publication of my tenth book: Zoom *For Dummies*. Read an excerpt [here](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/communication/excerpt-from-zoom-for-dummies/). ## Thoughts Interesting backstory on this one. Given how quickly [Zoom exploded](https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/2/21277006/zoom-q1-2021-earnings-coronavirus-pandemic-work-from-home?ref=philsimon.com), my acquisitions editor was keen on bringing *Zoom For Dummies* to market quickly. I was up for the challenge, but there were other moving parts. Specifically, Zoom was rebuilding its security as I was writing the book. (Shoot me if I ever say or write *re-architecting*. Seriously.) We're not taking about basic UI changes here. To this end, I had to juggle a bunch of balls. #firstworldproblems > [pic.twitter.com/jDZRcTdAhf](https://t.co/jDZRcTdAhf?ref=philsimon.com) > > — Phil Simon #BLM (@philsimon) [July 25, 2020](https://twitter.com/philsimon/status/1287086035864674304?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=philsimon.com) [Buy the book](https://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Dummies-Computer-Tech/dp/1119742145/ref=sr%5F1%5F1?crid=P2K2E0WC344J&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jTH69IqcvSsaA8Ksr8dbx6K1IcnWCL5IqYjNogMBguHNF1dXDXAoiGm6pBOCt1PR7uLHeQrPc3Eg6Yqe9vejorSXa1EQzMQXtPKfH0%5FAMd8FyFcOypzIaKvoMkB1ATzeQUL7eVvDZTs9m0CFRYvLLHU%5FpoFkd4nIiwcVsDd5ivzWTTcKYSJG%5Fu26hXs5OpWfKLqyL0QvpOqxl9%5FyJNrKhQFrEQkUDpbJ003CUsswSqs.XumBf-E%5FxeNiVEW3Qq-TQ1exRYlX411fWKMGItsEKMA&dib%5Ftag=se&keywords=zoom+for+dummies&qid=1749937325&sprefix=zoom+for+dummies%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-1&ref=philsimon.com) ### Zoom Tip #4: Creating a New User Role URL: https://www.philsimon.com/creating-new-user-role/ Last updated: 2025-06-20T01:57:48.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/zoom-create-roles-5.jpg) ​Users on premium Zoom plans can take advantage of user roles. In a nutshell, roles allow companies to segment responsibilities. Case in point: An organizational owner or admin can do things that regular users cannot. Imagine if every employee could upgrade or downgrade services or change account-wide settings. But what if Zoom's three native roles don't cut it? In this quick video, I demonstrate how to add a new user role: reporting analyst. [BUY THE BOOK](https://amzn.to/2JbSkLP?ref=philsimon.com) ### Why I'm Psyched About mmhmm URL: https://www.philsimon.com/why-im-psyched-about-mmhmm/ Last updated: 2025-08-27T18:10:02.000Z For years I've railed against ugly and inefficient slides and decks. I'm talking about monstrosities such as this one: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/slide2-1.jpg) In a word, *ick*. If you think that few people in attendance were paying attention to this speaker, trust your instincts. Many people tolerate awful slides because they're used to them. That's not to say, though, that you can't spruce up your slides. I'm a big fan of simple animations. You can use fewer bullet points. Videos are also easy to insert. If you really want to present differently, then [Prezi](https://prezi.com/?ref=philsimon.com) is an interesting option—although I have found that it can cause motion sickness. For its part, [Loom](https://loom.com/?ref=philsimon.com) lets people record simple videos like [this one](https://www.philsimon.com/zoom-reports/). I'd wager that, for people of a certain age, the types of presentations that they give haven't changed much over the past 20 years. ## Enter mmhmm Against this backdrop, I'm particularly excited about [mmhmm](https://www.mmhmm.app/?ref=philsimon.com). I envision being able to give talks, presentations, and lectures à la John Stewart, John Oliver, or [Hasan Minhaj](https://www.philsimon.com/college-professors-can-learn-hasan-minhaj/). Professors can engage their students far better than they currently do, especially when giving remote classes. (To be fair, I expect many, if not most, of them to resist mmhmm and its ilk.) > The possibilities are limitless. I'm frothing at the mouth. On a personal level, I could see redoing a few of [my Udemy courses](https://www.philsimon.com/courses/). I'd use it for [training](https://www.philsimon.com/services/training/) purposes. The possibilities are limitless. Think [Zoom virtual backgrounds](https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/210707503-Virtual-Background?ref=philsimon.com) on steroids. I'm frothing at the mouth. Check out a preview of it below. Oh, and mmhmm works with Zoom, YouTube, and other videoconferencing services. (I'd bet my house that Zoom is working on similar functionality. Its management would be silly not to investigate it.) [Do Speakers Need to Use Slides?A few thoughts on whether PowerPoint is required to give a talk.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-140.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/powerpoint1.jpeg)](https://www.philsimon.com/do-you-need-to-use-slides/) ## Simon Says: Thanks to mmhmm, we will be able to create more engaging presentations. I've been searching for a tool like this for years. Even if mmhmm sputters, expect Microsoft, Cisco, Facebook, Zoom, and other heavyweights to take notice This. Is. A. Big. Deal. ### Two-Chapter Excerpt From Zoom For Dummies URL: https://www.philsimon.com/excerpt-from-zoom-for-dummies/ Last updated: 2025-08-27T18:07:12.000Z Here are a few chapters from book number ten. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Zoom For Dummies Book Trailer URL: https://www.philsimon.com/zoom-for-dummies-book-trailer/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:07:58.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/zoom-for-dummies-cover-7.jpg) Even under normal circumstances, July in Phoenix is a tough slog. Toss in a pandemic and travel restrictions and it's tough to find an escape. For the *Zoom For Dummies* book trailer, I decided to geek out and interview a cartoon version of myself. (A few years ago, I had created [a few caricatures](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/travails/) via the defunct site BitStrips.) Seth MacFarlane certainly doesn't have to worry, but I'm reasonably pleased with the result. Oh, and that [beeping](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmhEXjM7iTw&ref=philsimon.com) is very much a hat tip to Buster Bluth of *Arrested Development*. [Pre-order the book now](https://bookshop.org/books/zoom-for-dummies/9781119742142?aid=9608&ref=philsimon.com). We're targeting shipment by the end of the month. ### Zoom For Dummies Update URL: https://www.philsimon.com/zoom-for-dummies-publication-date/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T18:08:47.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/zoom-for-dummies-temp-11.jpg) Three months ago, I signed the contract to write *Zoom For Dummies* with some strict provisions. At the top of the list was the manuscript completion date: 5/31/20. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/challenge-accepted-1.jpg) Now that we've finished author review, indexing, proofreading, e-book conversion, and layout begin. Brass tacks: The 384-page book will be out by the end of the month. Websites such as Target, Amazon, Walmart, and Bookshop.org are way, way off: ![](https://content.screencast.com/users/ThePhilSimon/folders/Default/media/a0c92610-62a2-4a90-b9c6-ae47fb21720b/screenshot.png) As for [the Kindle version](https://amzn.to/2xa4GOD?ref=philsimon.com), expect it in a few days. Why it's not already up is beyond me. ### Thoughts on Slack Connect URL: https://www.philsimon.com/slack-connect/ Last updated: 2025-07-28T01:50:21.000Z Communication among employees in different organizations is now more robust and easier than ever. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Slack Slack Tip #6: Introducing the Resizable Sidebar URL: https://www.philsimon.com/resizable-sidebar/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T21:44:26.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/dd-1.png) In *Slack For Dummies* I tease a subtle yet important feature: the resizable scroll bar. Slack tipped me off to its future release. Now it's here, baby. Enjoy. BTW, Zoom's got the same feature. ### Zoom Tip #3: Running Simple Reports URL: https://www.philsimon.com/zoom-reports/ Last updated: 2025-06-25T16:03:48.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/zoom-for-dummies-temp-12.jpg) ​Quite a bit of activity takes place in Zoom. Inquisitive types may want to answer questions about who's using Zoom. For example, are people more active on Tuesday morning than Friday afternoon? Depending on your role, the world really is your oyster here. [BUY THE BOOK](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08DF86H4Y/?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com) ### Win a Copy of Zoom For Dummies URL: https://www.philsimon.com/contest-zoom-for-dummies/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T18:08:56.000Z *Zoom For Dummies* drops soon, and I'm giving away a few signed copies of the book. Here's the catch: - You promise to give the book an honest review on your blog/site. - You copy and paste that review on Amazon and GoodReads. - You promise to do so in a relatively timely manner. - You give it a little love on social media. - You live in the United States. (This is just a shipping consideration, unless you want the Kindle version.) OK ...*catches*. Plural. You got me. ### Updated: June 14, 2025 Contest is closed. ### Slack Tip #5: Quickly Edit Your Last Message URL: https://www.philsimon.com/quickly-edit-your-last-message/ Last updated: 2025-06-25T16:03:48.000Z Scroll no more. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Thoughts on Twitter and Section 230 URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thoughts-on-section-230/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:32.000Z Kudos to the company for its principled stance. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Want to Sponsor My New Collaboration Podcast? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/sponsor-collaboration-podcast/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:09:24.000Z Over the last two months, I've spent most of my time writing the manuscript for [*Zoom For Dummies*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/zoom-for-dummies/). Now that I've put a bow on that and said *adios* to ASU, I can get to some of the other projects that have been percolating in my head for the last and change. Near the top of my list is starting a podcast about collaboration called—wait for it—[*Conversations About Collaboration*](https://www.philsimon.com/pod). I envision weekly 30-minute *pods*—as the kids call them—with a wide array of guests. I've had some success in the past procuring sponsors for my book tours. Along these lines, I'm looking for a company with skin in the collaboration game to come aboard. Ideally, the company will offset the costs associated with producing a professional pod. If you're interested in becoming a sponsor, then click [here](https://www.philsimon.com/connect). ### Virtual Book Tours: Slack For Dummies and Zoom For Dummies URL: https://www.philsimon.com/slack-for-dummies-virtual-book-tour/ Last updated: 2025-06-20T01:55:35.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/slackfd_cover-15.jpg) For all but one of my recent books, I got on a plane to promote it at different organizations. For example, [here](https://www.philsimon.com/highlights-visual-organization-book-tour/) are some highlights from my dates supporting *The Visual Organization* in 2014\. In 2015, Smartsheet and Atlassian even [sponsored a leg of my tour for *Message Not Received*](https://www.philsimon.com/smartsheet-to-sponsor-first-leg-of-the-message-not-received-book-tour/). (I didn't tour behind *Analytics: The Agile Way* because of my summer teaching schedule.) Now that I'm back to being independent, it's time to rev things up, even in the face of a global pandemic. ## Requirements You'll need to purchase 50 or more copies of either *Slack For Dummies* or *Zoom For Dummies*. How you do that is up to you, but here are some options: - If you want the print edition of the book, then I can work with Wiley to get you a discounted price. Shipping is up to you, though. - You can [buy bulk Kindle editions](https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=17381587011&ref=philsimon.com). - If you have something else in mind, then you can mention that in the form below. We'll work out a mutually convenient time. I’ll host a Zoom webinar and talk for 30 minutes about the book. I'll then field questions in an interactive AMA format à la Reddit for about 30 minutes. Note that the organization hosting the virtual event needs to make a webinar co-host available. I've done enough webinars in my life to know that trying to manage everything yourself in real time is a recipe for disaster. We'll also do a quick practice webinar. Fill out the form below to get started. By the way, there can't be any [brown M&Ms](https://www.businessinsider.com/van-halen-brown-m-ms-contract-2016-9?ref=philsimon.com). What's more, under no circumstances will I open for puppet shows. They have go on before I do. It's a dealbreaker. ### Publication of Slack For Dummies URL: https://www.philsimon.com/publication-of-slack-for-dummies/ Last updated: 2025-07-03T00:05:45.000Z Physical books start shipping soon. I had no control over the delay and, to state the obvious, I'm not happy about it. At least the Kindle version is out. I'm pleased to announce the publication of my ninth book, *Slack For Dummies*. Apropos of nothing, its my second full-color text. (*The Visual Organization* was my first. Read an excerpt [here](https://www.philsimon.com/book-excerpts/).) In retrospect, *Slack For Dummies* took more work than any of my previous eight. I had to learn the *Dummies*' style guide—no small feat, believe me. What's more, after I completed the manuscript, a little bird told me that [Slack was redesigning its user interface](https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/18/21184865/slack-redesign-update-sidebar-changes-available-now-download?ref=philsimon.com) (UI). Fortunately, the Slack team couldn't have been more accommodating. [Sam McEvans](https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelmcevans/?ref=philsimon.com) in particular was a godsend. Brass tacks: I had to rewrite about 70 percent of the book in a two-week period. All in all, I'm glad that I put the time in. The alternative involved releasing a book that was quickly obsolete—and no one wanted that. I hope that you enjoy it. Click [here](https://amzn.to/2AQjlMM?ref=philsimon.com) to buy it on Amazon. ### Slack Tip #4: Making a Public Channel Private URL: https://www.philsimon.com/private-channels-tip-4/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:10:05.000Z Other than [single-channel guests](https://slack.com/help/articles/202518103-Multi-Channel-and-Single-Channel-Guests?ref=philsimon.com), all Slack members can join public channels. Great, but what if you want to restrict channels to certain members? Tough noogies. I'm kidding. As I show in the video below, it's remarkably simple to convert public channels to private ones. ### Slack Tip #3: Removing Apps URL: https://www.philsimon.com/slack-removing-apps/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:38:29.000Z You installed an app but you don't use it. Maybe you don't like its performance or are concerned about its privacy settings. Does one app largely do what another one does à la [SimplePoll](https://simplepoll.rocks/?ref=philsimon.com) and Polly? Or perhaps your organization is testing Slack's Free plan. As such, you're quickly approaching the ten-app limit and want to remove lesser-used ones. Watch the video below to learn how to remove an app from your workspace. Note that your role must allow you to perform this action. ### Slack Tip #2: How Many Channels Do We Need? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/how-many-channels-slack/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:38:51.000Z What's the right answer to this question? Or is there one? Should you tread lightly when adopting Slack? What happens if you go too fast? And what does all of this have to do with *Breaking Bad*? Watch the video below to find out the answers to these questions. ### Zoom Tip #2: Inviting Someone to a Zoom Meeting URL: https://www.philsimon.com/inviting-someone-zoom-meeting/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:39:02.000Z ​If researching Zoom for the book has taught me anything, it's that the tool typically offers a number of different ways to accomplish the same thing. This is a bit of a mixed blessing: There's no one "right" way to use Zoom. Here's a simple way of inviting others to your meetings, whether you've add them to your Zoom directory or not. [BUY THE BOOK](https://amzn.to/2JbSkLP?ref=philsimon.com) --- ### Zoom For Dummies: New Publication Date URL: https://www.philsimon.com/zoom-for-dummies-new-publication-date/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:40:07.000Z Good news on the publishing front: Wiley will be releasing *Zoom For Dummies* one month earlier than anticipated. We're now looking at a publication date of July 25, 2020—give or take. Needless to say, I've been cranking out prose at a rate of which my friend [Kevin J. Anderson](https://thekja.com/?ref=philsimon.com) would be proud. Speaking of movin' on up ... ### Slack Tip #1: Dealing With Workspace Trolls URL: https://www.philsimon.com/slack-trolls/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T20:29:01.000Z Normally, people behave in a professional manner while using Slack and other collaboration tool. The operative word in the last sentence is *normally*. Sometimes individual behave like jackasses. Fortunately, Slack provides a number of useful tools for handling idiots. In this quick video I show you a few options for dealing with knuckleheads and blowhards: muting and exiling them from your workspace altogether. Slack on. ### Zoom Tip #1: Understanding Channels and Channel-specific Notifications URL: https://www.philsimon.com/understanding-zoom-channels-and-channel-specific-notifications/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T19:46:39.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/tip-1_-channels-and-notifications-3.jpg) ​I'm about 90 percent finished with the manuscript for [*Zoom For Dummies*](https://amzn.to/2xa4GOD?ref=philsimon.com). What I thought would be a 250-page book at most will now come in at more than 370 pages. The obvious question is, Why? The short answer is that Zoom contains a freakin' boatload of useful functionality, most of which relatively few people seem to understand. In this way, Zoom follows a power law—[like most software applications do](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/little-pie-chart-could-jim-johnson/?ref=philsimon.com). I'd bet my house that most people think of Zoom exclusively as a videoconferencing tool. It is, but it's so much more. Case in point: Watch the video below. Not only can you create channels for more targeted messages à la Slack, but you can set up keyword-specific notifications on public channels. Both of these tools help you stay informed without being overwhelmed. ### Publication of HBR Book on Agile Methods URL: https://www.philsimon.com/publication-hbr-book-agile-methods/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:40:33.000Z A few months ago, I [announced](https://www.philsimon.com/contribution-to-hbr-book/) that Harvard Business Review was including one of my contributions in its forthcoming book [*Agile: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review (HBR Insights Series)*](https://amzn.to/351ZgBA?ref=philsimon.com). I'm pleased to announce that that book is now out and available for pre-order. I can't tell you what an honor it is to be included in the same book as [Jeff Sutherland](https://twitter.com/jeffsutherland?ref=philsimon.com), the freakin' co-creator of Scrum. **Update: May 4, 2020** Book arrived today. It looks great. ![](https://i.imgur.com/hp7pQMc.jpg) ### An Update on Slack For Dummies URL: https://www.philsimon.com/update-slack-for-dummies/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:41:25.000Z We're in the home stretch on *Slack For Dummies.* The near-final page proofs arrived yesterday. To paraphrase George Costanza and at the risk of being immodest, [they're fabulous](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnF5BtQod-Q&ref=philsimon.com). Here's the book at a glance: ![Slack For Dummies](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/slack-for-dummies-toc-1.jpg) If I had to guess, *Slack For Dummies* required the most work out of all of my books. Last December, I discovered that Slack was blowing up its UI. The [end product looks great](https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/18/21184865/slack-redesign-update-sidebar-changes-available-now-download?ref=philsimon.com), but the changes meant that I had to rewrite more than 50 percent of the book. The effort was well worth it, though. We're just a few weeks out now. [PRE-ORDER](https://amzn.to/2xa4GOD?ref=philsimon.com) ### Zoom For Dummies Now Available for Pre-Order URL: https://www.philsimon.com/zoom-for-dummies-pre-order/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T18:09:08.000Z I'm pleased to announce that you can now pre-order *Zoom For Dummies*. On a related note, I'm working feverishly to crank out the manuscript. I just signed the contract last Wednesday and I'm roughly 20,000 words into it. More news on the book to come soon. ![](https://philsimondev-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Zoom-For-Dummies-cover.jpg) [AMAZON](https://amzn.to/2xa4GOD?ref=philsimon.com) [BARNES & NOBLE](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/zoom-for-dummies-phil-simon/1136977771?ref=philsimon.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/zoom-for-dummies-cover-8.jpg) ### CMU Webinar on Remote Work URL: https://www.philsimon.com/cmu-webinar-on-remote-work/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:41:16.000Z Over the years, I've been able to give back to my alma mater in a number of different ways. A few things most readily come to mind: - I hosted a [webinar](https://www.philsimon.com/events/cmu-webinar-on-business-communication/) on *Message Not Received* in 2015. - Last year the Alumni newsletter [interviewed me](https://www.philsimon.com/carnegie-mellon-alumni-interview/). - I spoke at the CMU Silicon Valley campus in 2014 on *The Visual Organization* as well. - I've been able to interview aspiring Tartans (now *that* would be a great name for a band) as part of [the Carnegie Mellon Admissions Council](https://admission.enrollment.cmu.edu/pages/cmac-admission-council?ref=philsimon.com). Today I'm pleased to announce that I'll be hosting another webinar on April 27, 2020 at 2 pm EST. The title is Effective Remote Work: An Overview of Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom. I'll spend most of the hour answering people's questions about what these tools can do. These days, I spent a great deal of time in each of them and I probably will until things return to a quasi-normal state. Click [here](https://cmu.zoom.us/webinar/register/2415864509430/WN%5FNNXSV9PnRoym4ISTC0KnRg?ref=philsimon.com) to register. **Updated: April 28, 2020.** Watch it below. ### An Note on Slack For Dummies Pre-Orders URL: https://www.philsimon.com/slack-for-dummies-pre-orders/ Last updated: 2025-05-11T20:23:48.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/slack-8.png) > > > If you're preordering Slack For Dummies, please do so from an indy book store or a site that supports them. The stores need all the help they can get right now. You might even get it faster; [$AMZN](https://twitter.com/search?q=%24AMZN&src=ctag&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=philsimon.com) is backed up w/ other orders. For USA: [https://t.co/v4BxqdBypA](https://t.co/v4BxqdBypA?ref=philsimon.com) h/t [@sarahfrier](https://twitter.com/sarahfrier?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=philsimon.com) ### Never Waste a Good Crisis URL: https://www.philsimon.com/never-waste-a-good-crisis/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:32.000Z Thoughts on what students can do in these trying times. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Looking for Zoom For Dummies Case Studies URL: https://www.philsimon.com/zoom-for-dummies-case-studies/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T18:09:32.000Z Few tools are exploding as much these days as Zoom. I'm curious about how people and organizations are using it—particularly [Zoom Rooms](https://zoom.us/zoomrooms?ref=philsimon.com). I'm a big believer in case studies. I use them in all of my books, and *Zoom For Dummies* will be no exception. Click on the button below if you'd like to tell me more and then we can chat about it—maybe even over Zoom. [TALK TO ME ABOUT HOW YOU USE ZOOM](https://www.philsimon.com/connect/) ### Announcing My Next Book: Zoom For Dummies URL: https://www.philsimon.com/zoom-for-dummies/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T18:10:48.000Z “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity” —Sun Tzu At the risk of stating the obvious, collaboration tools are all the rage right now. We are living in [the middle of the greatest remote work experiment in history](https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/20/tech/telework-security/index.html?ref=philsimon.com). Companies and laggards who for years clung to their inboxes are suddenly left with no choice. Yeah, [#WFH](https://twitter.com/hashtag/wfh?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Ehashtag&ref=philsimon.com) is a thing. Against this backdrop, [*Slack For Dummies*](https://amzn.to/2AQjlMM?ref=philsimon.com) couldn't arrive at a more opportune time. The text would already be out by now but [the recent UI change](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/slack/slack-new-ui-dummies/) put the kibosh on those plans. It's coming soon, though. As I write in *Slack For Dummies*, Slack plays quite nicely with many third-party apps. Perhaps none is more important and popular today than [Zoom](https://www.zoom.us/?ref=philsimon.com). ![](https://i.imgur.com/Q0XTQF3.png) Image source: NY Times Oh, and in case you hadn't noticed, the stock has been on fire. ![](https://i.imgur.com/xjOEv7f.jpg) Slack and Zoom [complement each other nicely](https://slack.com/apps/A5GE9BMQC-zoom?ref=philsimon.com). It's not uncommon for organizations to pay for both. As I've learned over the years, if you think there's an opportunity to write a book, trust your instincts. ## Zoom For Dummies ![](https://media0.giphy.com/media/3orif23NLpjNz1YTra/giphy.gif) Brass tacks: Wiley asked me to crank out a definitive guide to today's most powerful videoconferencing tool and I agreed. Yeah, this will be another book in the *ForDummies* series. Expect it in July—give or take. Strike while the iron's hot, I suppose. I'll put up proper pre-order links soon. ### Geeking Out Over Scrabble in Python URL: https://www.philsimon.com/scrabble-python/ Last updated: 2025-08-07T03:17:33.000Z Writing a little script to calculate the streak needed to hit a user-defined winning percentage. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### A Quick Note on Slack's New UI and Slack For Dummies URL: https://www.philsimon.com/slack-new-ui-dummies/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T21:34:37.000Z Slack's [new version](https://slackhq.com/simpler-more-organized-slack?ref=philsimon.com) is dropping today. In a word, it's awesome. As I write in [*Slack For Dummies*](https://amzn.to/2AQjlMM?ref=philsimon.com), Slack's new and streamlined user interface is slick and intuitive. Brass tacks: Existing users will pick it up immediately and newbies will be able to quickly find valuable but lesser-used features. In other words, this is no [Windows 8 debacle](https://www.computerworld.com/article/2486175/with-windows-8-1--microsoft-seeks-redemption-of-bold--flawed-os-redesign.html?ref=philsimon.com). Yeah, it took quite a bit of work, but *Slack For Dummies* reflects the current version, not its predecessor. I'm particularly excited about the ability to organize channels and other content. ![](https://slackhq.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020-04_Risman_IA-launch_Collections.gif) ### Visualizing My Students' Slack Messages URL: https://www.philsimon.com/visualizing-my-students-slack-messages/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:41:51.000Z A Tableau dataviz that explores the relationship between days active and messages sent. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Professors: Expect Your Student Evaluations to Drop URL: https://www.philsimon.com/professors-student-evaluations-drop/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:42:09.000Z The online experiment likely means lower numbers at the end of the semester. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Tips for Professors Teaching Online for the First Time URL: https://www.philsimon.com/tips-professors-teaching-online/ Last updated: 2025-07-03T00:04:59.000Z Some tools to help newbies weather the transition. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Slack and Change Management URL: https://www.philsimon.com/slack-and-change-management/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:33.000Z Thoughts on why it's essential to overcome employee resistance. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Tableau Animations Are Here. Professors Take Note. URL: https://www.philsimon.com/tableau-animations-are-here/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T13:47:33.000Z It's a great time to spruce up a few assignments for my upcoming dataviz class. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Using Slack to Ghostwrite a Book: A Case Study URL: https://www.philsimon.com/slack-ghostwrie-book-case-study/ Last updated: 2025-07-26T13:16:38.000Z ℹ️ ****Update: February 26, 2023** I would now never use Slack for such a project. I'm all about [RacketHub](https://www.racketpublishing.com/products/rackethub/?ref=philsimon.com). This post still serves as a useful reminder not to use e-mail to manage any project. For the last eight months Slack has dominated my mind. Ever since signing the contract to write [*Slack For Dummies*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/slack-for-dummies/), I have been feverishly writing and editing, with [the occasional blog post](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/slack-for-dummies/) and [book trailer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4ftx5QyqPA&ref=philsimon.com) thrown in. Of course, I am still teaching [my courses](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/courses/) and [communicating with my students via Slack](https://www.philsimon.com/use-slack-inside-classroom/). As I write in the book, how people use Slack in one context is anything but standard. In my case, the way in which I use Slack with my students differs a great deal from how I am using it to ghostwrite a book. In this post, I'll focus on three essential Slack apps: [Google Drive](https://slack.com/apps/A6NL8MJ6Q-google-drive?ref=philsimon.com), [Zoom](https://zoom.us/?ref=philsimon.com), and [Trello](https://slack.com/apps/A074YH40Z-trello?ref=philsimon.com). > Ghostwriting a book involves a great deal of back and forth. To be sure, native Slack is ideal for the simple exchange of group messages and more targeted ones via channels. Still, Slack's impressive array of integrations allows for far more than that. ## Google Drive Ghostwriting a book involves a great deal of back and forth. Without proper version control, things may will quickly spiral out of control. To this end, Google Drive is a no-brainer. Still, foolish are the souls who want constant comments flooding their inboxes. Deactivating comments altogether runs this risk of missing key updates. What to do? Enter Google Drive. When my client responds to one of my queries or makes a suggestion, Slack dutifully notifies me. If I need to take a break, [1](https://www.philsimon.com/what-cd-sales-future-work/) I just enter [Slack's DND mode](https://slack.com/help/articles/214908388-Pause-notifications-with-Do-Not-Disturb?ref=philsimon.com). Brass tacks: Slack and Google drive allow me to concurrently stay informed and keep my sanity. ## Zoom Sure, you can share your screen in Slack if you're on a premium plan. Back in July of 2019, however, Slack announced that [it was dropping the feature](https://slack.com/help/articles/360022908874-Removal-of-remote-screen-control-in-Slack-Calls?ref=philsimon.com) that let you take control of someone's screen—or vice versa. At times over the course of a ghostwriting project, this feature is essential. Zoom here is a godsend. ![](https://media.giphy.com/media/f5YRNOfMWjrt00ifba/giphy.gif) ## Trello I've been railing against Gantt charts ever since my consulting days. In their stead, Kanban boards provide far greater visibility into the status of any project—and ghostwriting is no exception to this rule. I created a Trello team and set up [swim lanes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swim%5Flane?ref=philsimon.com) to track the status of each chapter. For example, I can easily see which chapters I've started and which are in author review. [Jared from *Silicon Valley* would be proud](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyVksFviJVE&ref=philsimon.com) (NSFW). I can't imagine using private Slack channels to do such a thing. Trello users will yawn at what I just wrote. Big deal, right? Trello isn't exactly new to the scene. The beauty lies in stitching Trello together with Slack. Again, [this isn't hard to do](https://help.trello.com/article/1049-slack-app?ref=philsimon.com) with the Trello app. I filter Trello notifications into a separate channel. [Excerpt From Reimagining CollaborationHere’s a sneak peak of my eleventh book.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-48.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1532153975070-2e9ab71f1b14)](https://www.philsimon.com/excerpt-reimagining-collaboration/) ## Simon Says: Slack apps minimize administrative nightmares on ghostwriting. Ghost writing a book is both rewarding and a tremendous amount of work. Slack and useful a few apps make the process far more manageable. ### Slack For Dummies Book Trailer URL: https://www.philsimon.com/slack-for-dummies-book-trailer/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:43:11.000Z ​I like to think that I cover different things in my books. That is, I don't repeat myself and rehash the same idea over and over again. That's not to say, though, that won't find some commonalities among them. You will, including: - Rush and Marillion references - Case studies - Something about tech and data - Obscure quotes I'm also a big proponent of book [trailers](https://www.google.com/search?q=http%3A%2F%2Fphilsimon.flywheelsites.com+%22trailer%22&oq=http%3A%2F%2Fphilsimon.flywheelsites.com+%22trailer%22&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i58.4975j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&ref=philsimon.com). I like the idea that someone can watch a quick video of my book and get a sense of it. Because, to paraphrase Ron Burgundy, [videos are kind of a big deal](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/youtube-revenue-revealed-video-site-did-151b-2019-ad-revenue-1276004?ref=philsimon.com). Against that backdrop, here's the trailer for *Slack For Dummies*, book number nine: [Pre-order it now on Amazon](https://amzn.to/2AQjlMM?ref=philsimon.com). ### Thoughts on Slack and Flexibility URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thoughts-on-slack-and-flexibility/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:33.000Z The collaboration tool proves that one size need not fit all. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### A Preview of Slack For Dummies URL: https://www.philsimon.com/a-preview-of-slack-for-dummies/ Last updated: 2025-09-23T22:18:58.000Z ​I'm knee-deep in putting the final touches on [*Slack For Dummies*](https://amzn.to/2AQjlMM?ref=philsimon.com). In total, the book will consist of six parts. Here they are. ## Part 1: Working Smarter and Better with Slack Slack has exploded in popularity for many reasons. The chapters in this part explain why. What's more, they offer some rudimentary information about Slack’s background, rise, and benefits. I describe the main business problems that Slack helps solve for [more than 12 million](https://slackhq.com/work-is-fueled-by-true-engagement?ref=philsimon.com) people and hundreds of oodles of thousands of organizations every day. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/slack-for-dummies-1.png) Chapter 1 paints a decidedly mixed picture of the states of business communication and collaboration. Brass tacks: Employees frequently waste time and become frustrated while on the clock. For precisely these reasons, Slack serves an invaluable function its users every day. Not only does it Slack benefit employers, but it can make employees’ work lives far less chaotic. I also introduce readers to the Slack user interface and some of its building blocks. To use a bowling analogy, Part 1 sets up the pins and the other parts knock them down. ## Part 2: Communicating without Chaos "Calling the phone a phone is like calling a Lexus convertible a cup holder." —[Gary Gulman](https://www.garygulman.com/?ref=philsimon.com) Slack lets users send individual and group messages to their colleagues. In this way, it resembles email, but that’s missing the big picture. To paraphrase the erudite comedian [Gary Gulman](https://www.garygulman.com/?page%5Fid=1215&ref=philsimon.com), claiming that Slack only allows you to send messages is tantamount to using your car for the sole purpose of holding your coffee tumbler. You are severely underestimating what it can do. In Part 2, readers learn how to send *targeted* public and private messages to colleagues throughout their organization. I also show you how to control Slack’s notifications. ## Part 3: Becoming a Slack Power User In this section, I move beyond the basic Slack message and notification functionality. I explain some of its advanced features such as group video calling, screen-sharing, and more. You’ll learn how to find exactly what you in want using Slack’s advanced search features and how to personalize Slack’s appearance. I also cover to secure Slack and minimize the chance of data breaches. ## Part 4: Extending Slack’s Native Functionality The chapters in this part describe some of the cool ways that developers have taken Slack in new and exciting directions. Yes, much like your smartphone, you can use third-party apps in Slack. If you wished that Slack could do something that Parts 2 and 3 don’t cover, there’s a good chance that a whip-smart developer or startup has already built it or will soon. Alternatively, if you’ve got [the technical chops](https://api.slack.com/community?ref=philsimon.com), you can create it yourself. I also explain the data side of the application: How to get data into and out of Slack and how to analyze it. In so doing, you’ll learn a few things about your how employees at your company communicate. This part concludes with how organizations are increasingly integrating Slack into their front- and back-office systems. ## Part 5: Successfully Introducing Slack in the Workplace Parts 2, 3, and 4 demonstrate Slack’s most powerful features. In short, Slack allows organizations to transform how their employees communicate and collaborate. Of course, theory and practice often collide. It’s critical to understand that Slack is ultimately not an individual tool; *it is a group one*. As such, the benefits that you and your organization will ultimately reap hinge upon its successful adoption and use. The wider, the better. In this vein, Part 5 offers tips on how to maximize the chance that your organization will profit from using the application for years to come. I discuss the risks of adopting and using Slack. Make no mistake: This matters. People who don’t understand issues tangential to adopting any application are more likely to make glaring mistakes with it. I close this section of *Slack For Dummies* with a chapter on Slack’s bright future and what you can expect from it down the road. ## Part 6: The Part of Tens The chapters in Part 6 offer valuable tips on how to make the most out of Slack. Collectively, these quick nuggets provide even more ways to extend its power. I debunk some of the biggest misconceptions that people have about Slack. The book closes with a chapter on my favorite Slack resources. ### The Wild Wild West of Analytics Programs URL: https://www.philsimon.com/higher-education-struggles-with-analytics/ Last updated: 2026-05-14T09:54:58.000Z Pedagogy and definitions around higher ed's trendy new discipline are anything but consistent. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Contribution in Forthcoming HBR Book on Agile Methods URL: https://www.philsimon.com/contribution-to-hbr-book/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T23:59:24.000Z A few years ago, I penned a piece for Harvard Business Review on how [Nextdoor used analytics and agile methods to reduce racial profiling](https://hbr.org/2018/05/how-nextdoor-addressed-racial-profiling-on-its-platform?ref=philsimon.com). I excerpted the article from *Analytics: The Agile Way*. Today I'm pleased to report that that article will appear in a new book called [*Agile: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review*](https://amzn.to/2u4xkys?ref=philsimon.com). The book represents a curated group of real-world examples on how companies have embraced Agile methods and seen impressive results. (As I know all too well, the Waterfall method is prone to disaster.) Needless to say, I can't wait to get my copy. ### My Five Most Popular Posts From 2019 URL: https://www.philsimon.com/my-five-most-popular-posts-from-2019/ Last updated: 2025-07-12T21:10:30.000Z I've been on WordPress for a decade now. (Click [here](https://www.philsimon.com/about-phil/site-history/) for some dated incarnations of this site.) I can't imagine using a different content management system. As I tell my students each semester, it's intuitive, powerful, flexible, and [very popular](https://kinsta.com/wordpress-market-share/?ref=philsimon.com). As a data guy, I'm always curious about how my posts are doing. Thankfully, WordPress provides oodles of stats. In that vein, here are my five most popular posts from last year: 1. [How I Use Slack Inside of the Classroom](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/use-slack-inside-classroom/) 2. [Three of My Favorite In-Class Exercises](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/favorites/three-of-my-favorite-in-class-exercises/) 3. [Five Tips for a Successful CRP](https://www.philsimon.com/five-tips-for-successful-crp/) 4. [Three Main Types of Capstone Project Problems](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/data/analytics/capstone-project-problems/) 5. [Why I Have Never Visited My Rate My Professor Page](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/why-i-have-never-visited-my-rate-my-professor-page/) I knew that my post on Slack in the classroom received plenty of page views. I'm either one or two for [that related Google query](https://www.google.com/search?q=slack+classroom&oq=slack+classroom+&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l2j69i60l2.3252j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&ref=philsimon.com). Beyond that, though, four of my five deal with higher education in some way. That's certainly been one of my areas of interest since [joining ASU back in 2016](https://www.philsimon.com/professor-simon/). As for 2020, I suspect that I'll be blogging more about Slack than higher education with [*Slack For Dummies*](https://amzn.to/2AQjlMM?ref=philsimon.com) due in a few months. ### Visualizing Two NFL Franchises URL: https://www.philsimon.com/visualizing-two-nfl-franchises/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:43:50.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/patriots-vs-browns-1.jpg) In a move that should surprise exactly no one, [the Cleveland Browns canned head coach Freddie Kitchens after only one season](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/browns/2019/12/29/freddie-kitchens-fired-cleveland-browns-coach-one-season/2768187001/?ref=philsimon.com). It's become somewhat of a rite of passage over the past few years for that moribund franchise. Meanwhile, in Foxborough, MA, the Patriots keep chugging away with the same head coach. With respect to stability, how different have these two franchises been? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/nfl-1.jpg) Night and day. [See for yourself](https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/philsimonasu/viz/CLEvs%5FNEP/Dashboard1?ref=philsimon.com). For an even more interesting dataviz on NFL coaches, see [this one from Ken Flerlage](https://www.flerlagetwins.com/2017/02/a-comparison-of-nfl-coaches%5F25.html?ref=philsimon.com). I suspect that the NBA's parallel comparison involves the Knicks and the Spurs. Maybe I'll create that one before editing for *Slack For Dummies* begins in earnest. ### Advice for My Dataviz Students URL: https://www.philsimon.com/advice-for-my-dataviz-students/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:33.000Z Parting thoughts as they embark on their careers. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Thoughts on Slack, Culture, and Workplace Boundaries URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thoughts-on-slack-culture-and-boundaries/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:34.000Z Don't let one CEO's toxic behavior poison your view of the tool. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Don't Be Evil by Rana Foroohar URL: https://www.philsimon.com/dont-be-evil-by-rana-foroohar/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:44:31.000Z Building upon books such as [*World Without End*](https://amzn.to/2rMEEO1?ref=philsimon.com) and [*Weapons of Math Destruction*](https://amzn.to/2P07VNo?ref=philsimon.com), [*Don't Be Evil: How Big Tech Betrayed Its Founding Principles -- and All of Us* ](https://amzn.to/2DAtRJy?ref=philsimon.com) makes the case that Big Tech is doing more harm than good. [Rana Foroohar](https://twitter.com/RanaForoohar?ref=philsimon.com) proves her central thesis in spades. I find it impossible to argue the opposite these days using any reasonable standard. Her thoughts on venture capital, the bias of algorithms, election interference, and other related topics should gave anyone pause. As she points out, Big Tech's shiny new things distract us from considerable downsides. Sure, I'd nitpick with a few of her assertions. For instance, at one point she refers to Uber has profitable when it's lost billions every quarter. Perhaps this was just an oversight. More generally, I also have difficulty putting Netflix in the same bucket as Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google when it comes to power. FAANG might make for a nice acronym but I'd argue that Microsoft exerts far more power than the world's most valuable streaming company. ## A Spot-On Critique of Big Tech Regardless of my small gripes, this book is spot-on. Foroohar synthesizes the main arguments against the tech titans that have become far too powerful—[and I defended them for years](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/robert-reich-is-wrong%5Fb%5F8161300?ref=philsimon.com). Now more than ever, we need to ask ourselves tough questions about Big Tech's power. Promises that the industry will regulate itself are as laughable as banks making the same claim prior to the financial crisis. Her final chapter is her strongest and it's high time to act now with sensible, bi-partisan legislation and oversight. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ### Using Slack in the Classroom: A Case Study URL: https://www.philsimon.com/using-slack-classroom-case-study/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T13:33:25.000Z How professors can use the collaboration tool to engage their students _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Years That Matter Most URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-years-that-matter-most/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T18:35:37.000Z Paul Tough's book [*The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Us*](https://amzn.to/2X5ux2L?ref=philsimon.com) paints a decidedly mixed picture of how higher ed works. For some, it's the ticket to a better life. For others, though, it's a high-risk gamble that may well not pay off. If you think that race and class complicate matters, trust your instincts. I particularly enjoyed his tale of [David Laude](https://twitter.com/laude%5Fdavid?lang=en&ref=philsimon.com) at UT - Austin. His hard work resulted in real changes in graduation rates—against a backdrop of a clueless Texas governor who shamefully believes that [students are customers](https://slate.com/human-interest/2015/05/college-students-are-not-customers-a-political-shorthand-that-needs-to-die.html?ref=philsimon.com). Beyond that, Tough's exploration of the admissions process and its painful economics was especially enlightening. Those with idealistic goals often have to compromise in the fact of fiscal realities. ## Higher Ed: A Mixed Bag I wish that Tough covered the struggles of well-intentioned faculty attempting to overcome internal politics and constraints. Plenty of intelligent and hard-working faculty eventually pack their bags. (Hence [the rise of quit lit](https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/09/dont-quit-your-day-job/404671/?ref=philsimon.com).) Still, his is a text about students, not professors, and I am much more informed about the mechanics of higher ed than before. I also like how Tough ends his book: By reminding us of the GI Bill's intent to make education a public good, not a private one. Demagogues and poorly informed politicians would do well to remember this fact. **Rating:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ --- Click [here](https://www.paultough.com/books/years-that-matter-most/?ref=philsimon.com) for more on the book. ### Finding Teachable Moments in Poor Student Presentations URL: https://www.philsimon.com/finding-teachable-moments-in-poor-student-presentations/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:34.000Z How a disappointing result can lead to true learning. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### 13 Slack Tips URL: https://www.philsimon.com/13-slack-tips/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T00:31:42.000Z Some advice on how to use the collaboration tool from my forthcoming book. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Doing More With Slack URL: https://www.philsimon.com/doing-more-with-slack/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T00:31:57.000Z Thoughts on how most users interact with software applications. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Adding Spice to a Mundane Lecture Topic URL: https://www.philsimon.com/mundane-lecture-topic/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:35.000Z Illustrating business processes need not be that boring. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Slack For Dummies Now Available for Pre-Order URL: https://www.philsimon.com/slack-for-dummies/ Last updated: 2025-06-14T21:05:05.000Z *Slack For Dummies is* [*finally*](https://youtu.be/QLOUgvsfDtg?t=402&ref=philsimon.com) *available for pre-order on Amazon.* ![scroll-down](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/scroll-down-1.png) The cover is nearly finished. Slack CTO Cal Henderson will be penning the foreword. 💥 Note that the publication date isn't accurate. Expect it to hit the shelves in May of 2020\. I can't imagine that there will be an audiobook for this one but the world today is a crazy place. Who knows? Pre-order it by clicking on one of the buttons below. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/slack-for-dummies-3.jpg) [AMAZON](https://amzn.to/2AQjlMM?ref=philsimon.com) [B&N](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/slack-for-dummies-phil-simon/1133972424?ean=9781119669500&ref=philsimon.com) [INDIE BOUND](https://www.indiebound.org/search/book?keys=Slack+For+Dummies&ref=philsimon.com) ### Thoughts on the Hertz Debacle URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thoughts-on-the-hertz-debacle/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:35.000Z $32M doesn't get you what you think when you hire large consulting firms. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Update on Slack For Dummies URL: https://www.philsimon.com/update-on-slack-for-dummies/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T19:18:06.000Z I haven't posted in a while but there's a good reason: I'm knee-deep in writing [*Slack For Dummies*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/slack-for-dummies/). As of today, I'm at about 63,000 words on the manuscript that will ultimately run about 80,000\. My acquisitions editor at Wiley tells me that I'm insanely ahead of the normal pace and we may move up the publication date by a few months. This is all very intentional. I start teaching [a half-semester dataviz class](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/courses/#CIS310%5FData%5FVisualization) and I'll be doing some speaking events this fall. Beyond that, I'm close to signing a deal to ghostwrite a full-length business text. Oh, and there's [*El Camino*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JLUn2DFW4w&ref=philsimon.com)—a movie that I'll probably watch daily for at least a week. Finally, it's still pretty toasty in Phoenix. ## Other Notes I still have room for some examples in the book but space is filling up fast. Let me know if your organization uses Slack in an innovative way. With all of the figures, I'm glad that this will be a full-color book. The book should hit Amazon this week. I'll post pre-ordering information. Also, I expect to see the preliminary book cover soon. The one in this post is clearly a placeholder. Back to the grind. ### Talking Tech With Professor Simon URL: https://www.philsimon.com/talking-tech-with-professor-simon/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:46:12.000Z I posted this in my Slack workspace for my students in [CIS235: Intro to Information Systems](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/courses/#CIS235%5FIntro%5Fto%5FInformation%5FSystems). I'm reposting it here. As you probably know by now, I enjoy learning and reading about technology. Ditto for discussing it with others. I like to think that I've picked up a thing or six about the subject in my years (#humblebrag). Besides researching and writing a bunch of [books](https://www.philsimon.com/books) and reading hundreds more, I spent more than a decade helping organizations deploy new technologies. If you pay attention to the news (and you absolutely should), then you know that tech is everywhere these days. *Everywhere*. Against this backdrop, I have decided to host a series of open discussion sessions. The goal: To talk about different technologies and the effects that they are having on business, society, and the world. There's no preset agenda but I doubt that we'll be lacking for content. Details are below. Feel free to pass this along to any of your classmates. This is an open invitation. ## When Every Monday and Wednesday. ## Why Because understanding technology is really freaking important. It's easy to look like a jackass if you don't. ## Who Any ASU student in my class or not. ## When 12:25 pm to 12:45 pm. ## Where BA396. ## Updated: October 2, 2019 Nice turnout today. Good discussion about the perils of tech. ![](https://i.imgur.com/2HPGG7z.jpg) ### How a Good Syllabus Can Set the Right Tone With Students URL: https://www.philsimon.com/how-good-syllabus-students/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:36.000Z Why not show them that you've got a little personality? _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Looking for Slack For Dummies Case Studies URL: https://www.philsimon.com/case-studies-slack-for-dummies/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T00:31:31.000Z Formerly [a gaming company called Glitch](https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/30/the-slack-origin-story/?ref=philsimon.com), Slack rebranded—or pivoted, to use the [parlance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbv3gJ76NT8&ref=philsimon.com) of Silicon Valley—in 2013\. With [more than 10 million daily active users](https://searchunifiedcommunications.techtarget.com/news/252456752/Number-of-daily-Slack-users-surpasses-10-million?ref=philsimon.com), it's fair to say that Slack has caught fire. In the process, it has spurred clones from Microsoft, Facebook, Google, and more. Sure, I like to think that I'm doing cool things with the über-useful collaboration tool [in the classroom](https://www.philsimon.com/use-slack-inside-classroom/). Still, higher education is simply one industry that can stand to benefit from Slack's functionality. To that end, I'd love to how you or your organization use Slack for my next book *Slack For Dummies*. [Connect with me](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) if you'd like to tell me more and then we can chat about it—maybe even over Slack. ### Visualizing My Books URL: https://www.philsimon.com/visualizing-my-books/ Last updated: 2025-07-12T14:07:19.000Z Now that I've [announced the new book](https://tinyurl.com/yy5m5ady?ref=philsimon.com), I figured that it was time to update my interactive Tableau dashboard from a while back. To be sure, it's not the fanciest thing out there. I'm no dataviz deity like [Ken Flerage](https://www.kenflerlage.com/?ref=philsimon.com) or [Ryan Sleeper](https://playfairdata.com/?ref=philsimon.com). (Not bad alliteration, eh?) Few are, but I digress ... I find it interesting to view the books from a number of different angles—something that all good dashboards allow users to do. On a different level, Tableau is freaking addictive. With the semester starting and writing taking up my spare time for the foreseeable future, I don't know if I'll be able to noodle with data visualizations for a while. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/tableau_books-1.jpg) See the entire interactive data visualization [here](https://public.tableau.com/views/PhilSimonBooks/BookDashboard?ref=phil-simon.ghost.io). ### Announcing My Next Book: Slack For Dummies URL: https://www.philsimon.com/announcing-my-next-book-slack-for-dummies/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T18:14:28.000Z For the last two years, I've used [Slack](https://slackhq.com/?ref=philsimon.com) just about every day. Hands-down the most popular post on my site during that time has been [How I Use Slack Inside of the Classroom](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/use-slack-inside-classroom/). Put simply, Slack has become an invaluable tool for me in a number of different capacities. It's no exaggeration to say that I love using it. ![closeup photography of gold number 9](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1522447984233-657d56c465d8?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDF8fG5pbmV8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzUxNzM5MjY0fDA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Adrian Curiel](https://unsplash.com/@hencetheboom?ref=philsimon.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) ## Slack For Dummies Against this backdrop, I'm pleased to announce that my ninth book will be *Slack For Dummies* from Wiley. I'm particularly excited that this will be a full-color text. Boom. The publication date is set for late April of 2020\. I'll have more to report on this soon. As always, I'll be scribing a post asking for possible case studies. I'm always curious about how progressive organizations are using Slack in innovative ways. It's folly to think that only large firms use Slack. Hell, maybe it will make [Kevin's shelf in *The League*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyq-Z5Q-vS0&ref=philsimon.com) if there's ever a reboot. This will be the ninth time that I've written a book. Nine times ... ### A Visual Look at Breaking Bad IMDB Ratings URL: https://www.philsimon.com/a-visual-look-at-breaking-bad-imdb-ratings/ Last updated: 2026-05-26T22:42:20.000Z Dashboards really pop when you add an element of interactivity. They allow an obsessed fan to answer questions such as: - Do *Breaking Bad* fans believe that the show improved over time? - What was the highest- and lowest-rated show per season? - Which season sported the highest and lowest rating? I was curious about the answers to these questions so I created the following interactive dashboard using [IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0903747/?ref=philsimon.com) data from my favorite show. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/brba-1.jpg)](https://public.tableau.com/views/BreakingBadIMDBRatings/DB-selectclick?:language=en-US&:sid=&:redirect=auth&:display%5Fcount=n&:origin=viz%5Fshare%5Flink&ref=philsimon.com) See the interactive dataviz [here](https://public.tableau.com/views/BreakingBadIMDBRatings/DB-selectclick?:language=en-US&:sid=&:redirect=auth&:display%5Fcount=n&:origin=viz%5Fshare%5Flink&ref=philsimon.com). As you can see, at least according to the fans, the show improved over time. When present in this way, it doesn't take long to identify the lowest-rated episode. Season 3's [*Fly*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly%5F%28Breaking%5FBad%29?ref=philsimon.com) certainly polarizes audiences. I can understand why some folks don't like it but I found it gripping. Which was the highest-rated season? Reference lines easily answer that question. They are hands down one of my favorite features in Tableau. They easily allow users to compare individual values against a set measure. I can see why so many sites such as [538](https://fivethirtyeight.com/?ref=philsimon.com) add them to their data visualizations. ### Visualizing the 2019 Men's Wimbledon Final URL: https://www.philsimon.com/visualizing-the-2019-mens-wimbledon-final/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T19:10:30.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/federer-novak-1.png) At the gym yesterday, I did my normal Wednesday workout while catching glimpses of the 46th Annual Cherry Pit Spitting Championship on [ESPN The Ocho](https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/08/espn-ocho-schedule-dodgeball-programming?ref=philsimon.com). (Yeah, that's a thing.) My eyes were one place but my mind was elsewhere. Specifically, I couldn't stop thinking about how I could represent in Tableau one of the five most exciting tennis matches I've ever seen: [the 2019 Men's Final between Djokovic and Federer](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUikJi0Qhhw&ref=philsimon.com). By way of background, early yesterday morning I engaged in some back-and-forth on Twitter with a few other dataviz enthusiasts. Those exchanges confirmed what I long suspected: It's just more fun to visualize sports data compared to generic business data. Anyway, back to tennis. Here's what I came up with: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/tennis-2.jpg) See the interactive dataviz [here](https://public.tableau.com/views/Djokovicvs%5FFederer2019MensWimbledonFinal/Story1?:embed=y&:embed%5Fcode%5Fversion=3&:loadOrderID=0&:display%5Fcount=y&:origin=viz%5Fshare%5Flink&ref=philsimon.com). No, I wouldn't put this dataviz on the same level as [this work of art](https://public.tableau.com/profile/akanksha.joshi4843?ref=philsimon.com#!/vizhome/TheWimbledon2019MensSinglesFinal-FederervDjokovic%5F15636781635490/TheWimbledon2019MensSinglesFinal-FederervDjokovic). Still, doing this exactly the way that I wanted wasn't as simple as dragging and dropping. ([Dual axes](https://kb.tableau.com/articles/howto/dual-axis-bar-chart-multiple-measures?ref=philsimon.com) are beautiful things.) It took some thought and problem-solving. To be sure, I certainly didn't have the chops to do this a year ago. On a different level, animations demonstrate how tight this each set was—save for the second. What do you think? How would you improve upon this data visualization? ### Visualizing My Teaching Schedule URL: https://www.philsimon.com/visualizing-my-teaching-schedule/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:46:56.000Z For years I've railed against [Gantt charts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gantt%5Fchart?ref=philsimon.com). (It's [a common refrain](https://monday.com/blog/hey-gantt-charts-my-mama-dont-like-you-and-she-likes-everyone/?ref=philsimon.com).) As someone who has spent more than a decade helping organizations implement massive systems, I can tell you that they don't remotely represent the timeline of launching a new ERP or CRM application. I can recall meetings during which I laughed at precise estimates a year or more out. Yep, I've seen 800-line project plans that made little sense. How do you know that testing the new system is going to take exactly 34 days? Yet, *in the right context*, interactive Gantt charts can clearly display what has happened in the past. Here's an example of [my teaching schedule](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/courses): ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/SCR-20250615-ltos.png) Tableau schdule. View the whole thing on [Tableau Public](https://public.tableau.com/views/ASUTeachingTimeline/TeachingTimelines?:embed=y&:sid=&:redirect=auth&:embed%5Fcode%5Fversion=3&:loadOrderID=0&:display%5Fcount=y&publish=yes&:origin=viz%5Fshare%5Flink&ref=philsimon.com). As each dataviz above illustrates, I teach very different types of courses than I did [when I started at ASU three years ago](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/professor-simon/). Gone are the 400-level capstone courses—at least for now. In their stead, I now largely teach survey courses designed to expose students to a wide variety of topics. ## Simon Says: No one forces us to create confusing visuals. I think of dataviz programs such as Tableau like e-mail and PowerPoint. The users—not the applications—confuse us. Adding interactivity in the form of filters helps users easily see what they want to see. They can zoom in and out as they like. ### A Visual Look at the Success of NBA Franchises URL: https://www.philsimon.com/successful-nba-franchises/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T13:38:47.000Z Some teams have been remarkably consistent. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Visualizing Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals URL: https://www.philsimon.com/visualizing-game-7-of-the-2016-nba-finals/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T19:10:26.000Z I've been watching professional basketball for more 35 years. Without question, though, the most exciting game that I've ever seen live was game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. There were so many different subplots. LeBron returned home after a four-year stint with the Heat. He was chasing Michael Jordan for number of titles won. The Cavs were trying to become [the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%5Fof%5Fteams%5Fto%5Fovercome%5F3%E2%80%931%5Fseries%5Fdeficits?ref=philsimon.com#National%5FBasketball%5FAssociation). Cleveland hadn't exactly seen a great deal of success in the sports world. The league suspended Draymond Green for his repeated shots to opponents' man zones. I watched every second of the game at my friend's house in Vegas along with a small group of hoops aficionados. To call it a close, pressure-filled game is the acme of understatement. LeBron's absurd block of Andre Iguodala's layup cemented his status as an all-time great. Kyrie Irving made [a clutch shot](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ8yCJgsF%5F4&ref=philsimon.com) that closed the door on the Warriors for good. ## Tableau Time I don't believe that any data visualization can replicate the sheer excitement of watching that game live. Still, [as I teach myself Tableau](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/thoughts-on-learning-tableau/) ahead of [my forthcoming dataviz class](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/courses/#CIS310%5FData%5FVisualization), why not have a little fun in the process and create something akin to [ESPN's awesome GameCast functionality](https://www.espn.com/nba/game?gameId=401134820&ref=philsimon.com). > Why not have a little fun in the process? I grabbed the play-by-play data from über-useful [Basketball Reference](https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/pbp/201606190GSW.html?ref=philsimon.com). No, the site's data didn't immediately lend itself to instant analysis. Fortunately, [I'm stubborn](https://www.philsimon.com/channeling-my-inner-bulldog-the-case-for-stubbornness/) and Tableau Desktop ships with some pretty powerful data-manipulation tools. (I've heard that [Tableau Prep](https://www.tableau.com/products/prep?ref=philsimon.com) is even better in that regard and may mess around with it later this summer.) Rather than using a CSV as a normally would, I opted to create and import a [JSON](https://www.json.org/?ref=philsimon.com) file just to see if I could do it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/warriors_cavs-1.jpg) [Here](https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/philsimonasu/viz/NBA2016FinalsClevelandCavaliersatGoldenStateWarriors/GSWvs%5FCLE2016NBAFinals?ref=philsimon.com) is an interactive dataviz of that remarkable game. ## Simon Says: Tableau freaking rocks. I'm sure that I could have created a simple, static line chart of this data much faster in Excel. After all, I've used that application for damn near 30 years. I'm equally sure, though, that the end result would not have been as interesting and satisfying. (Excel is great, but it just wasn't built for this type of interactivity, especially when it comes to embedded charts in websites.) As I tell my students, [it's imperative that everyone learns new tools](https://www.philsimon.com/case-lifelong-learning/)—including and especially their professor. ### The Analytics Project That "College Me" Would Do URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-analytics-project-that-college-me-would-do/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:36.000Z If I were 21 again ... _This post is for subscribers only._ ### How Dataviz Can Manifest a Tale of Two Sports URL: https://www.philsimon.com/how-dataviz-can-manifest-a-tale-of-two-sports/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:36.000Z [Shane Lowry ran away with the British Open today](https://www.espn.com/golf/story/%5F/id/27234247/ireland-lowry-breezes-victory-open?ref=philsimon.com)—his first major championship. In a way, a first-timer winning on Sunday is nothing new in the world of golf. For the last ten years, it seems that repeat champions have been the exception and not the rule. We are far from Tiger Woods' heyday. Using Tableau, it wasn't hard to confirm my suspicion. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/golf_majors-1.jpg)](https://tabsoft.co/2Z0guM0?ref=philsimon.com) Yes, 29 different men have won major championships since 2009\. It's an amazing number. (See the entire interactive dataviz yourself [here](https://tabsoft.co/2Z0guM0?ref=philsimon.com).) ## Sign up for Simon Says Award-winning, 14-time author Phil Simon chimes in with his musings on AI, the future of work, collaboration, workplace tech, and more. SUBSCRIBE Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Contrast that with tennis. The era of [the Big Three](https://tennistonic.com/tennis-news/83552/djokovic-federer-and-nadal-how-the-big-three-pan-out-after-the-historic-wimbledon-finals/?ref=philsimon.com) is alive and well. Case in point: Only six different men have won major tournaments in the same time period. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/tennis_majors-1.jpg)](https://tabsoft.co/2LDHz3N?ref=philsimon.com) Again, you can view the entire tennis dataviz online [here](https://tabsoft.co/2LDHz3N?ref=philsimon.com). [Phil Simon: Who’s Won the Most Majors? An Interactive DatavizPlaying with data and discovering insights have never been easier. In this post, I use a simple Tableau story to illustate this point with men’s golf.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/cropped-newlogo-111.png)Phil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/USOpen.png)](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/data/whos-won-the-most-majors-an-interactive-dataviz/) ## Simon Says: Tableau makes data discovery fun. I have nothing against [SQL statements](https://www.w3schools.com/sql/sql%5Fselect.asp?ref=philsimon.com) and Excel, but I've never had as much fun visualizing data as I have with Tableau. Asking and answering questions is remarkably intuitive and the application's formulas follow contemporary programming conventions. ### Thoughts on Learning Tableau URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thoughts-on-learning-tableau/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T19:20:06.000Z Back in the late-1990s through the late-2000s, I spent a great deal of time writing reports for my clients. To be sure, the methods varied. One of my go-to applications was [Crystal Reports](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/crystal-reports/), now part of SAP. In a way, the specific tool didn't matter. As long as I knew the structure of the database tables,I could find what I wanted and return the results in the desired format. Data dictionaries are beautiful things. I am keeping this in mind as I prepare to teach [a dataviz course next semester](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/courses/#CIS405%5FBusiness%5FIntelligence) for the first time. No, we don't use Crystal Reports. It isn't 1998\. Instead, we use Tableau. Fortunately, the same old rule about reporting applications holds. At a high level, both Tableau and Crystal largely accomplish the same things and offer comparable functionality. Brass tacks: As long as you understand the data, [you should be able to do what you want](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/business-intelligence-change-concepts/). ## One Report, Many Options For instance, I used to enjoy creating interactive Crystal reports for my clients. That is, rather than just spewing out the data in a predefined, static format, I would often allow users to select the way that they wanted to see the data. Examples included different cuts of the data and [different grouping, sorting, and downloading options](https://www.philsimon.com/suppressing-values-in-crystal-reports/). Put differently, Crystal allowed report creators to add dynamic parameters. I haven't touched Crystal Reports in a decade, but [Tableau lets you do the same thing](https://onlinehelp.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/parameters%5Fcreate.htm?ref=philsimon.com). I inserted a string parameter *winner name* on [my growing tennis data visualization](https://tabsoft.co/2LDHz3N?ref=philsimon.com). Here's an animated gif showing it in action: ![](https://media.giphy.com/media/h4kjuYiTV3zm56nIAY/giphy.gif) In case you're wondering, [you can do so much more with parameters](https://public.tableau.com/profile/ken.flerlage?ref=philsimon.com#!/vizhome/Funwith2019%5F2ParameterActions/%5FMain). ## Simon Says: Experience matters. I'm no [Tableau Zen Master](https://www.tableau.com/zen-masters?ref=philsimon.com), but I am certainly not terrible with the reporting application. As I've told my students many times before, knowing how one contemporary tool, programming language, or framework works makes it easier to learn new ones. And [lifelong learning is here to stay](https://www.philsimon.com/case-lifelong-learning/). ### Why I Emphasize Strong Communication in My Syllabi URL: https://www.philsimon.com/why-i-emphasize-strong-communication-in-my-syllabi/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T19:17:12.000Z I'm putting the final touches on my Fall '19 syllabi. (Click [here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1M3IE0siNBZamtcyd%5FWp%5FDmdo%5FVT4ZgWFjk6UbL-KQb4?ref=philsimon.com) to see one of them.) Here are a few seemingly odd sentences in the *communications* section: Are you curious about why a professor of information systems emphasizes clear communication so much? Check out [the first job listing that Jeff Bezos posted for Amazon 25 years ago](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/336356?ref=philsimon.com). And here's the screen grab from a man who has made his mark in the universe: ![](https://assets.entrepreneur.com/images/misc/1562339641_jeff-bezos-first-job-offer.jpg) Yeah, some programming languages have gained traction since 1994\. You won't find any mention of [Python](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/python/) or JavaScript in Bezos' listing. Note, however, the emphasis on strong communication skills, even and especially for techies. ## Simon Says Many things have changed since Bezos wrote that job description. The need for clear and effective business communication, however, is certainly not one of them. ### Summer Reading URL: https://www.philsimon.com/summer-reading/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T19:23:18.000Z I've been reading about a book per week this summer and few stand out. ## Specialists vs. Generalists [*Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World*](https://amzn.to/2LD2CDD?ref=philsimon.com)by David Epstein looks at the need for generalists in a specialist-driven world. Should someone specialize in one field à la Tiger Woods? Or is Roger Federer's approach to sample a bunch of different sports the way to go? Put differently, is it better to dabble in a number of things early on and stitch them all together later in life? Plenty people have done it and seen success. In fact, I'm one of them. You can probably figure out the answer from the title. Epstein's book should be required reading for those who think that only one thing matters. If you don't have time to read the book, he covers much of it in [the Longform Podcast](https://longform.org/player/longform-podcast-348-david-epstein?ref=philsimon.com). [![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41Mq4yKJjnL.jpg)](https://amzn.to/2J49qbE?ref=philsimon.com) [*How to Win in a Winner-Take-All World: The Definitive Guide to Adapting and Succeeding in High-Performance Careers*](https://amzn.to/2J49qbE?ref=philsimon.com) by Neil Irwin covers similar terrain but is just as good. Irwin is a gifted writer and his second book is rife with stories and great research on the benefits of being broad—not just deep. I particularly enjoyed the way that he applied the principle of [Pareto optimality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareto%5Fefficiency?ref=philsimon.com) to careers. I was unaware of the A. J. Liebling quote: I can write faster than anyone who can write better, and I can write better than anyone who can write faster. The more that I think about it, though, the more sense that it makes regardless of your primary occupation. Both books made me think of the benefits of platform thinking. As I write in *The Age of the Platform*, entering adjacent fields has served Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google well. ## Technology New and Old [*Bitcoin Billionaires: A True Story of Genius, Betrayal, and Redemption*](https://amzn.to/2LzcrlR?ref=philsimon.com) by Ben Mezrich details the post-Facebook travails of the Winklevii. Turns out that these guys are pretty freaking smart after all. Much like Mezrich's other books, I question if the events folded exactly how he describes. Regardless, Mezrich's 20th effort is a compelling, fast-paced read about an increasingly important topic. I knocked it out in a day. (Dude makes me feel lazy having only written eight books.) [![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/417f3zZHi4L._SX324_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg)](https://amzn.to/2XgWkf3?ref=philsimon.com) [*The Players Ball: A Genius, a Con Man, and the Secret History of the Internet's Rise*](https://amzn.to/2XgWkf3?ref=philsimon.com) by David Kushner tells the fascinating story of the two guys who fought over the *sex.com* domain. It's a gripping tale of two interesting, smart, stubborn, and ultimately flawed men trying to score big during the early days of the Web. ## Currently Reading Next on my list is [*Educated: A Memoir*](https://amzn.to/2Yu9w1l?ref=philsimon.com) by Tara Westover on a friend's recommendation. ### Can You Use Slack Too Much? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/can-you-use-slack-too-much/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:50:24.000Z ## "We become what we behold. We shape our tools and then our tools shape us." —Marshall McLuhan I'm hard-pressed to think of a tool that I enjoy using more than Slack. I'm an effusive advocate. It doesn't surprise me that, for the last year and change, the most popular post on my blog has been [How I Use Slack Inside of the Classroom](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/use-slack-inside-classroom/). As I write in *Message Not Received*, Slack and its ilk are just like any communications tool: You can use them too much when in-person conversations make far more sense. It's hardly a revolutionary thought, but think about that when you're spinning in circles and you're unable to get a simple answer to a question. Along these lines, from an excellent recent piece by [John Herrman](https://twitter.com/jwherrman?ref=philsimon.com) in *The New York Times*: Slack also defies the social customs and expectations of email, codified over decades of use and misuse. Some employees — and, crucially, employers — are still learning how to establish rules and boundaries around real-time chat. “I personally felt so much anxiety over Slack,” Ms. O’Quigley said. “I love my job, but nothing triggers alarm bells like when you receive a message from your team or boss after work hours.” ## Simon Says Herrman's article is fascinating. Read it and you'll discover that many of the problems that excessive e-mail causes Slack doesn't necessarily solve. In some cases, employees have just moved the headache from one medium (e-mail) to Slack. Brass tacks: [Slack breakups](https://ux.useronboard.com/slack-i-m-breaking-up-with-you-54600ace03ea?ref=philsimon.com) aren't necessary if people move a discussion to more appropriate medium. Sometimes, it's best to just talk to someone. If I were king at any organization experiencing Slack fatigue—yeah, that's a thing—I'd have them immediately implement [my three-message rule](https://www.businessinsider.com/the-3-email-rule-2015-5?ref=philsimon.com). Think of Slack as just one communication club in the bag. ### Who's Won the Most Majors? An Interactive Dataviz URL: https://www.philsimon.com/whos-won-the-most-majors-an-interactive-dataviz/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T19:10:08.000Z With the US Open going on, why not play with some golf data? _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Visualizing Men's Grand Slam Winners URL: https://www.philsimon.com/visualizing-mens-grand-slam-winners/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T13:37:17.000Z Playing with data and discovering insights have never been easier. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### What I Learned Visiting an Amazon Fulfillment Center URL: https://www.philsimon.com/what-i-learned-visiting-an-amazon-fulfillment-center/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:37.000Z Thoughts on my recent tour of an insanely large facility. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Sprucing Up Python Scripts With Data Visualization URL: https://www.philsimon.com/python-scripts-data-visualization/ Last updated: 2025-08-05T22:30:12.000Z Last fall, I taught four sections of [a survey course on information systems](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/courses/#236) to freshmen who have chosen not to study information systems. Still, regardless of major, [all students today benefit from knowing at least the basics of coding](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/why-all-college-students-need-to-know-the-basics-of-coding/). To this end, the other two instructors and I spend one class covering the basics of [object-oriented programming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Object-oriented%5Fprogramming?ref=philsimon.com). (We coordinate our efforts to ensure consistency.) For the next three classes, we introduce simple programming concepts such as variables, print and [if-then-else](https://www.w3schools.com/python/python%5Fconditions.asp?ref=philsimon.com) statements, lists, functions, and *for* and *while loops*. In CIS236 and its cousin CIS235, we only scratch the surface of one of the today's most powerful and popular programming languages. [![Coders](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/coders-1.jpg)](https://amzn.to/2XuQt6f?ref=philsimon.com) At the end of the Python module, I stitch everything together with some examples that build upon what we have learned so far. My favorite is [a basketball-inspired one that pokes fun at my lack of skills](https://www.philsimon.com/class-memorable-basketball-inspired-python/). The script calculates my game-by-game and aggregate shooting percentages. Although it's far beyond the scope of the class, there's so much more you can do with Python, especially when you consider its [libraries](https://tinyurl.com/y5en36n7?ref=philsimon.com). After reading Clive Thompson's excellent book [*Coders: The Making of a New Tribe and the Remaking of the World*](https://amzn.to/2XuQt6f?ref=philsimon.com), I thought that I'd revisit last semester's script and improve upon it. ## Improving on the First Iteration I knew that I would first have to gather and store shot and game data in simple lists. (I use both game\_list and pct\_list in the code above.) After that, creating the bar chart would be pretty straightforward. I'm sure that I could have done it in many different ways, but I chose to visualize the results with [matplotlib.pyplot](https://matplotlib.org/api/%5Fas%5Fgen/matplotlib.pyplot.html?ref=philsimon.com) and [numpy](https://www.numpy.org/?ref=philsimon.com). Give it a whirl yourself below by hitting the play button. Note that the bar chart appears at the bottom on the right. You'll most likely have to scroll down to see it. *Click [here](https://github.com/philsimon/python%5Fdataviz?ref=philsimon.com) to download this script on my GitHub.* Or, if you like, watch the video of it below: [Dataviz, Data, and DevelopersExamining whether decisions today should begin and end with data.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-84.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1480843669328-3f7e37d196ae)](https://www.philsimon.com/dataviz-and-developers/) ## Simon Says I'm hardly an expert on all things Python, but that's the point: It's not *that* hard to improve upon a script and, dare I say, add a little flair. Beyond that, I can think of worse ways to spend a few minutes on a Sunday morning than learning more about Python and some of its libraries. ### Thoughts on Facebook's Mistaken Deletions URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thoughts-on-facebooks-mistaken-deletions/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:37.000Z The company's explanation doesn't come close to passing the smell test. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Is your organization embracing interactive dataviz tools? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/interactive-data-visualization-tools/ Last updated: 2025-07-30T18:03:41.000Z Powerful new applications allow for greater insights and help overcome the IT-business divide. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Business Intelligence: The Tools Change but the Concepts Don't URL: https://www.philsimon.com/business-intelligence-change-concepts/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T19:15:02.000Z Thoughts on new applications and old ideas. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Having More Fun With Python in the Classroom URL: https://www.philsimon.com/having-more-fun-with-python-in-the-classroom/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:37.000Z Why not make a simple PowerPoint slide a little more interactive? _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Three Books That I Recommend to My Analytics Students URL: https://www.philsimon.com/books-recommend-analytics-students/ Last updated: 2025-11-12T03:15:18.000Z Thoughts on ways to expand their thinking about using data in their careers. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### How Data and Metadata Can Thwart Contract Cheating URL: https://www.philsimon.com/metadata-contract-cheating/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:38.000Z Digital breadcrumbs may help curtail a growing problem. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Beauty of Structured Data URL: https://www.philsimon.com/beauty-structured-data/ Last updated: 2025-07-25T01:59:10.000Z When it comes to survey design, Stephen Covey is absolutely right. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Calling Bullshit on Elizabeth Holmes' Ignorance URL: https://www.philsimon.com/calling-bullshit-elizabeth-holmes/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:38.000Z Anyone who knows anything about Theranos should take the psychopath's claims with a 50-lb. bag of salt. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Appearance on Bloomberg's Works for Me Podcast URL: https://www.philsimon.com/appearance-on-bloombergs-works-for-me-podcast/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:53:59.000Z I recently appeared on [Bloomberg's Works for Me Podcast](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/works-for-me/id1448500947?mt=2&ref=philsimon.com) with [Francesca Levy](https://twitter.com/francescatoday?ref=philsimon.com). I discuss some of the points in *Message Not Received* such as [the three-message rule](https://www.businessinsider.com/the-3-email-rule-2015-5?ref=philsimon.com). I also discussed how tools such as [Slack](https://www.philsimon.com/use-slack-inside-classroom/) are fundamentally better than e-mail for business communication although for some reason that didn't make the final edit. Levy asked me if things had changed much in the corporate world since the book's 2015 publication. The short answer is *a little*. E-mail continues to be a major problem for overwhelmed employees. On the positive side, [Slack](https://slack.com/about?ref=philsimon.com) and its brethren have made substantial progress. Click [here](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-22/here-s-how-you-really-get-better-at-email?ref=philsimon.com) to listen to the podcast or click on the play button below. --- ### My Ideal Speaking Client URL: https://www.philsimon.com/my-ideal-speaking-client/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T02:55:10.000Z A few weeks ago, I flew to the midwest United States to give a keynote talk on [my most recent book](https://www.philsimon.com/books/analytics-the-agile-way/). The process went so smoothly that I wanted a write a post what turned out to be my ideal speaking client. ## Decisiveness The folks at this organization did not dilly-dally. The decision makers had clearly read both my book and my [Working With Me](https://www.philsimon.com/about-phil/working-with-me/) page. I was their guy and management wanted to pull the trigger fairly quickly. In other words, my client did not string me along for months on end. ## Flexibility on Dates and Travel Based on my teaching schedule this semester, with rare exception, I can only speak on Tuesdays and Thursdays. (ASU professors can only cancel classes in the event of emergencies.) Against that backdrop, my client worked with me to find a suitable date. Beyond dates, I prefer a business-class seat for any flight over an hour. I've sat on the tarmac in the middle seat in coach for two hours and it's just not pleasant. Again, my client accommodated my request. ## Rates and Initial Payment I'm not the cheapest speaker out there but [my rates](https://www.philsimon.com/about-phil/rates/) are certainly consistent with those in my cohort. I threw out a number that felt right and my client didn't try to nickel-and-dime me. I don't consider a speaking gig finalized until two things happen: - I receive a signed contract. - I receive a payment of 50 percent of my fee within fifteen days of the former. True to form, my client promptly issued payment. As a result, I booked my travel the very same day. ## Pre-event Communication I don't just show up to give a canned talk. I'm a big believer in tweaking the content to meet the needs of my clients. Again, this went off without a hitch. ## Second Payment Although my standard contract calls for the second payment within 30 days after I speak, I was surprised to find that check in my mailbox a few days before I was supposed to leave. My client also reimbursed me for the plane ticket to boot. ## Additional Travel Flexibility The day that I was supposed to fly to the midwest looked ominous because of [the polar vortex](https://www.vice.com/en%5Fus/article/yw8vnb/chicago-storm-photos-videos-polar-vortex-freezing-midwest-vgtrn?ref=philsimon.com). My client didn't want me sitting at the airport for five hours and possibly arriving at 2 a.m. on the day that I was supposed to speak—and neither did I. As a result, my contact and I decided to reschedule the talk for the following week. Lest you think that this was trivial, rescheduling meant getting on the calendars of the top 25 people at the organization. ## Hospitality I'm happy to take a Lyft to and from the hotel and airport. Still, it's just easier if my client arranges for ground transportation ahead of time—and that's exactly what happened here. No, I don't need a limo, but a nice, clean car with a friendly driver makes the travel more enjoyable. ![](https://media.giphy.com/media/xT5LMzIK1AdZJ4cYW4/giphy.gif) As is my custom, I brought two signed copies of the new book for my client: one for my primary contact and one for the CEO. I was pleased to see some swag from the company including a branded winter hat. The latter couldn't have been more timely because I forgot to bring my own. ## Remaining Expenses and Follow-up I submitted my expenses as soon as I returned home. (Thank you [Expensify](https://www.expensify.com/?ref=philsimon.com).) Four days later, I found the final check in my mailbox along with a heartfelt thank-you note from my primary contact. ## Simon Says For each speaking gig, I want to do the best job possible for my client. When an organization treats me this well, though, how can I *not* want to go above and beyond? If only all of my gigs went as smoothly as this one. ### Finding Teachable Moments in Survey Courses URL: https://www.philsimon.com/finding-teachable-moments-in-survey-courses/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T13:30:45.000Z I've learned over the last six months about the challenges associated with teaching ambitious survey courses. [Introduction to Information Systems](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/courses/#235) certainly qualifies. In short, professors cover oodles of material at a rapid pace. As a result, we don't spend [a great deal of time](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZYsoEwWNK0&ref=philsimon.com) on any given topic. (To be fair, future courses cover just about every topic in far greater detail.) In other words, survey courses by definition trade depth for breadth—a tension that's not always easy for professors to navigate. > The breadth-depth tension is not always easy for professors to navigate. Here's an example. Last week, I covered the highlights of both security and ethics—both of which warrant longer discussions in different courses. In a few hours, I'll give three largely similar 50-minute lectures on privacy to a group of mostly college sophomores. We'll soon shift to relational databases and [Structured Query Language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL?ref=philsimon.com). After the break, we'll move to [Python](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/Python/). (Yeah, we're not lacking for content.) ## What has changed since last time? I reviewed the slides from last semester's privacy lecture. To be sure, the slide deck still holds up as is. For instance, Google and Facebook still know a frightening amount about many things. (Robert McNamee's [*Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe*](https://amzn.to/2TK1sHt?ref=philsimon.com) is a painful reminder of that.) That certainly hasn't changed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/bezos_medium-1.jpg) Nevertheless, ours is not a stagnant world. A few days before every class, I ask myself what new material I can incorporate into the upcoming lecture that will resonate with students. I can't imagine not thinking this way. Self-improvement and staying current are core tenets of [my teaching philosophy](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/philosophy/). In this case, I didn't have to think for a very long time. [AMI's attempt to blackmail Jeff Bezos](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/08/opinion/bezos-national-enquirer-blackmail.html?ref=philsimon.com) is front and center. What other story stitches together security, privacy, and ethics in a contemporary way? I'm hard-pressed to think of one. The story is the very definition of a [*teachable moment*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teachable%5Fmoment?ref=philsimon.com). I suspect that I'll see a few light bulbs over my students' heads this morning. ## Simon Says To be sure, the prior privacy lecture still works without [Bezos' letter](https://medium.com/@jeffreypbezos/no-thank-you-mr-pecker-146e3922310f?ref=philsimon.com) and its fallout. If I were a student today, though, I'd want my professors to integrate current events into their classes as much as possible. ### Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Publication of Why New Systems Fail URL: https://www.philsimon.com/celebrating-10-year-anniversary-why-new-systems-fail/ Last updated: 2025-08-17T12:54:54.000Z On February 4, 2009, I released *Why New Systems Fail*. My first foray into long-form publishing started with a whimper, not a bang. For five long months, very little happened around the book despite my promotional efforts and those of my pricey PR firm at the time. To be fair, a book recommending ways to avoid failures on new system implementations from a relatively unknown independent consultant couldn't have come at a worse time. It's not like I had established myself as a reputable author in years past. What's more, the US was in the midst of its worst economic climate since the Great Depression. IT budgets were shrinking, not expanding. Brass tacks: I learned the hard way that, for oodles of reasons, selling books is exceptionally difficult. (Start with the fact that roughly one-quarter of all Americans zero books every year.) Put differently, writing is easy. *Marketing* is hard. Still, I kept at it. I'm [stubborn](https://www.philsimon.com/channeling-my-inner-bulldog-the-case-for-stubbornness/). ## Crickets No More Finally, things picked up on July 15, 2009\. A copy of my book had found its way to [Bruce Webster](https://brucefwebster.com/?ref=philsimon.com). He was a fan. His subsequent review on the über-popular site [Slashdot](https://slashdot.org/story/09/07/15/1255258/why-new-systems-fail?ref=philsimon.com) catapulted *Why New Systems Fail* to number ninety-freaking-one on the Amazon bestseller list. Not #91 for technology books. I mean #91—as in of all books sold on Amazon at that point. (Take *that* Malcolm Gladwell.) More than 600 people bought it that week—far more than all sales from the previous five months combined. That didn't suck. I often joke, though, that this was akin to [*Ten*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten%5F%28Pearl%5FJam%5Falbum%29?ref=philsimon.com)—Pearl Jam's first album. I had nowhere to go but down. In the time since, I penned an updated version of *Why New Systems Fail* as well as [seven other texts](https://www.philsimon.com/books). (It's amazing how book sales arouse the interest of traditional publishers) Those books have opened up many opportunities for me—most of which I did not see coming. Some of my income is even [*passive*](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/passiveincome.asp?ref=philsimon.com). ## What Has Changed Agile software-development methods such as Scrum have become far more prominent although Google Trends shows a decidedly mixed trajectory. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/08/google-trends.jpeg) Popularity of Scrum Searches Over Time | Source: Google Trends New entrants in enterprise software typically rely upon cloud computing and its cousin [SaaS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software%5Fas%5Fa%5Fservice?ref=philsimon.com). (Both subjects in my follow-up text *The Next Wave of Technologies*.) Unlike 2009, it's no longer weird to suggest an off-premise computing solution. > Despite many advances and changes, ERP failure is alive and well. [On a personal level](https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/253809b5-49ce-427a-b120-10e77b81dd92?ref=philsimon.com), I like to think that I am a far better writer than I was a decade ago. The first edition of *Why New Systems Fail* certainly wasn't awful, but that book would flow much better if I sat down to write it today. If I've learned anything over the last decade, it is that writing is very much a skill; one must hone it to improve. This involves looking both inward and outward. With regard to the latter, the scribes behind [538](https://fivethirtyeight.com/?ref=philsimon.com), [Without Bullshit](https://www.withoutbullshit.com/?ref=philsimon.com), and [No Mercy / No Malice](https://medium.com/s/no-mercy-no-malice?ref=philsimon.com) have profoundly affected how I tackle the craft of writing. ## What Has Not Despite many technological advances and new alternatives, ERP failure is [alive and well](https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/education/article223183180.html?ref=philsimon.com). I've had many conversations with folks since the book's publication about problems plaguing organizations as they attempt to adopt new technologies. Sure, occasionally the issues are technical in nature. More often than not, though, they're people-related. I suspect that this won't change anytime soon. As for book sales, I can say this much: They've become *easier* over time but they are certainly not *easy*. Foolish is the soul who believes otherwise. The publishing landscape is more crowded than ever. [Building a strong personal brand](https://www.elegantthemes.com/blog/community/the-divi-nation-podcast-episode-5-building-an-effective-personal-brand-with-phil-simon?ref=philsimon.com) has helped, but make no mistake: there's no easy way to move a bunch of books. It seems to resemble the world of startups. You learn a little more each time but success is anything but guaranteed. [Phil Simon: AI’s Continued Lack of Transparency and ConsistencyAdventures in truly amazing, opaque software that makes basic errors.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/cropped-newlogo-188.png)Phil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/select-3.png)](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/ai/transparency-consistency/) ## Simon Says I doubt that I'll continue to churn out books at such a rapid pace over the next decade. I'm not lacking for ideas but [teaching](https://www.philsimon.com/services/teaching), speaking, and consulting take up a decent chunk of my professional time and energy. Here's to the next ten years of writing. ### Carnegie Mellon Alumni Interview URL: https://www.philsimon.com/carnegie-mellon-alumni-interview/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:03:55.000Z Since graduating from Carnegie Mellon in December of 1993, I have remained involved at my alma mater. For instance, the alumni newsletter [interviewed me](https://goo.gl/skqjJA?ref=philsimon.com) about Big Data in February of 2013\. The next year, I [spoke at CMU’s Silicon Valley campus](https://goo.gl/EqJHRA?ref=philsimon.com) about *The Visual Organization*, my book on data visualization. I hosted a [webinar](https://goo.gl/vPSQc7?ref=philsimon.com) for the CMU Alumni Association in 2015 on why business communication typically fails. Finally, I’ve interviewed [dozens](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKie-vgUGdI&ref=philsimon.com) of aspiring Tartans as a member of the [Carnegie Mellon Admissions Council](https://admission.enrollment.cmu.edu/pages/cmac-admission-council?ref=philsimon.com) (CMAC). I recently sat down with [Stefanie Johndrow](https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniejohndrow?ref=philsimon.com) of CMU's [Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences](https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/?ref=philsimon.com). Among other things, we discuss how Carnegie Mellon prepared me for the real world, how to change careers, my favorite professors, and the interdisciplinary nature of higher education. We also expand upon some of the points that I made in [a recent post](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/reflections-on-carnegie-mellon-25-years-later/). [READ THE INTERVIEW.](https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/news/news-stories/2019/january/phil-simon-alumnus.html?ref=philsimon.com) ### Why All College Students Need to Know the Basics of Coding URL: https://www.philsimon.com/why-all-college-students-need-to-know-the-basics-of-coding/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:39.000Z Even finance, accounting, and marketing majors should understand what makes software tick. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### What College Professors Can Learn From Hasan Minhaj's Patriot Act URL: https://www.philsimon.com/college-professors-can-learn-hasan-minhaj/ Last updated: 2025-08-11T22:53:54.000Z Upon a friend's recommendation, I recently checked out Hasan Minhaj's new Netflix show [*Patriot Act*](https://hasanminhaj.com/?ref=philsimon.com). In a word, it's *excellent*. The *Daily Show* alumnus fuses political satire, scathing commentary, humor, and interactive data visualizations in a way that his counterparts just don't. After bingeing the seven-episode series, I started thinking about lessons that he offers to college professors. It turns out that there are quite a few. ## He Educates *Patriot Act* doesn't just rant against a problem or an injustice every episode. The show routinely informs its viewers and, I'd argue, makes us smarter. Here's a rough visual: Case in point: A core tenet of economics is that demand for all but a few products drops as price increases. Not so with [Veblen goods](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veblen%5Fgood?ref=philsimon.com). I learned quite a bit while attending [Carnegie Mellon](https://www.philsimon.com/reflections-on-carnegie-mellon-25-years-later/), but this concept escapes me. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/08/veblen.jpeg) Normal vs. Veblen Goods | Source: Phil Simon No bother. Minhaj reminded me of that oddity in [his show on the iconic streetwear brand Supreme brand](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKl%5FY3EA7Sc&ref=philsimon.com). I'd bet that few economics professors would introduce potentially boring subjects such as these in as contemporary or interesting a way. ## He Supports His Assertions With Cold, Hard Data and Compelling Visualizations You may not agree with Minhaj's politics, but the way that he builds his case throughout the show is worth exploring. Minhaj buttresses his arguments with plenty of supporting evidence. Sure, he uses anecdotes but doesn't shy away from data and interactive data visualizations.[1](https://www.philsimon.com/sample-pages-from-reimagining-collaboration/) The one below on [an underreported but terrifying oil spill](https://slate.com/culture/2018/11/hasan-minhaj-oil-crisis-islamophobia-netflix.html?ref=philsimon.com) is particularly effective. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/hasan-minhaj-1.jpg) Check out [his testimony before Congress on the student-debt crisis](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gELxjD42tNk&ref=philsimon.com). ## He Engages His Audience Watch five minutes of *Patriot Act,* and it's nearly impossible not to get hooked. Minhaj frequently moves around on the set, and his enthusiasm is downright infectious; viewers can't wait to see where he's going next. I wonder how many students would say the same about monotone instructors who remain tied to their lecterns reading off their prosaic slides. ## He Tells a Story Over the course of 18 to 25 minutes, *Patriot Act* takes its viewers on a journey. Most shows consist of a single subject with a carefully constructed arc. In this vein, the show resembles *Last Week Tonight*. Professors don't put on shows *per se.* We are not entertainers. Still, isn't a class fundamentally an opportunity to tell a story with a beginning, middle, and end? I'd argue that the answer is *yes*. We should think about the content that we're presenting, the order in which we're presenting it, and the point of each argument, fact, chart, and the like. ## He Entertains Minhaj is a professional comedian, something that few professors can claim. That doesn't mean, though, that we can't inject humorous moments into the classroom from time to time. > Self-deprecation can be a good thing. On a similar level, Minhaj isn't afraid of taking shots at himself. At one point, he shows a dated, awkward picture of him and his then-girlfriend. That reminded me of a time-machine in-class exercise in which I took students back to 1997\. I had them guess the most popular movies and tech companies of the era. I also showed them a picture of yours truly sporting a funky haircut, 90s glasses, and a double-breasted suit to boot. The students got a kick out of it. Brass tacks: Self-deprecation can be a good thing. ## Patriot Act Makes Viewers Think Critically About Trends and Current Events Arguably the most important thing that professors need to impart to their students these days is critical thinking. Lazily looking something up on the Internet hardly suffices for knowledge. More than ever, it's essential to question companies' claims about their roles in society. I may show future classes the show's segments on Amazon and Facebook. These companies' recent actions often belie their claims. [The Myth of the Necessary Reader ConfusionCertain books’ subjects require feeling perplexed while reading them, right? In a word, no.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newball-1-1.png)Racket PublishingPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/confused2.png)](https://www.racketpublishing.com/blog/necessary-reader-confusion/?ref=philsimon.com) ## Simon Says: Learn From Hasan Minhaj. To be fair, Minhaj doubtless sports a team of über-creative folks that make his ideas, jokes, and stories pop. For their part, professors typically have to give 20 to 30 lectures each semester. We simply don't have the time and, quite frankly, the design chops to dazzle our audiences with slick graphics and interactive data visualizations. Still, shouldn't we aspire to be as dynamic and informative as possible? Shouldn't we ditch or at least minimize [boring lectures that often don't resonate with students anyway](https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2014/05/lectures-arent-just-boring-theyre-ineffective-too-study-finds?ref=philsimon.com)? At a bare minimum, shouldn't we at least [spice up our slides](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/in-defense-of-using-powerpoint-in-the-classroom/) to increase student engagement? Check out the show's trailer here: ### Teaching Highlights From 2018 URL: https://www.philsimon.com/teaching-highlights-from-2018/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T23:58:31.000Z A look back on two things that made me smile this past year. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Thoughts on Reaching 500 Google Scholar Citations URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thoughts-on-reaching-500-google-scholar-citations/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T19:14:29.000Z Back when I started writing [books](https://www.philsimon.com/books) in 2008, I largely ignored whether academics cited my work—much less how often. In the whole scheme of things, it just didn't seem to matter at the time. This feeling continued well into 2014\. Although I knew that a decent number of schools used some of my previous texts, I was writing largely for *professional* audiences, not academic ones. As I [began my career as a college professor](https://www.philsimon.com/professor-simon/), though, my curiosity started to grow. Was my work resonating with researchers? For a slew of reasons, it turns out that academics generally pay a good deal of attention to citations by other academics. Yeah, [*citation impact*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citation%5Fimpact?ref=philsimon.com) is a thing. It isn't hard to determine which books or articles resonate with the professoriate using any number of tools—one of which is Google Scholar. [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google%5FScholar?ref=philsimon.com) describes it as "a freely accessible web search engine that indexes the full text or metadata of scholarly literature across an array of publishing formats and disciplines." Soon after joining ASU in the Fall of 2016, I claimed [my page](https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=fxLxu-oAAAAJ&hl=en&ref=philsimon.com) and signed up for alerts. At least once every few weeks, Google Scholar Alerts would send me an e-mail such as the one below. The messages would advise me that another scholar cited one of my books or, less frequently, articles on *Wired* or HBR. I'd click on the message's links and try to determine the contexts of each citation. In other words, were researchers praising my work or criticizing it? Fortunately, I can count the number of negative citations on one hand. (It would be interesting to see what percentage of citations offered praise and which contradicted the author's research/claims.) Today I'm pleased to report that I've hit 500 citations on Google Scholar—something that I've seen coming for a few months. > Here's to the next 500 citations. I'll be the first to admit that there's nothing inherently special about the number *500*. No prize awaits me inside or outside of ASU. Also, in terms of context, many long-time academics register numbers far greater than mine. For instance, my friend and muse [Terri Griffith](https://www.terrigriffith.com/?ref=philsimon.com) of Santa Clara University sports nearly ten times as many citations over her storied career. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/citations-1.png "gq-module-hover") Digging into the Numbers I strongly suspect that the academic citations fall reflect both [the Matthew Effect](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew%5Feffect?ref=philsimon.com) and [the Long Tail](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long%5Ftail?ref=philsimon.com). That is, cumulative advantage in all likelihood plays an outsize role. In this case, academics cite popular papers and journal articles in large part because other academics have cited them before. This probably explains why people such as Michael Porter and late Carnegie Mellon rock star [Herbert Simon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert%5FA.%5FSimon?ref=philsimon.com) sport [nearly one million citations](https://www.webometrics.info/en/node/186?ref=philsimon.com). Still, 500 isn't terrible considering the types of books that I write and the fact that I only entered academia in 2016\. Also, I have never submitted an article to an [academic journal](https://www.definitions.net/definition/academic+journal?ref=philsimon.com) or written an academic paper—at least yet. Finally, the fact that other academics have cited—and continue to cite my work—benefits my employer, the W. P. Carey School of Business, the CIS department, and ultimately me. Roughly half of my citations come *after* I joined academia, including two of my three most prominent years (2017 and 2018). I wonder if being part of academia makes my work more palatable to academics. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/Too-Big-to-Ignore.jpg) #### Too Big to Ignore ****The Business Case for Big Data** Number five looks at the nascent trend of Big Data and explains why it’s such a big deal. In plain English, I describe the genesis and applications of Big Data. I detail a wide variety of ways in which intelligent organizations are using it today. More than a decade after its publication, I’m pleased to say that this conceptual, jargon-free, and accessible book still holds up. [𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘](https://phil-simon.ghost.io/book-too-big-to-ignore?ref=philsimon.com) ## Being Right about Big Data More than half of my citations stem from [*Too Big to Ignore: The Business Case for Big Data*](https://tinyurl.com/5philtbti?ref=philsimon.com) (Wiley, 2013). This might be [confirmation bias](https://www.philsimon.com/big-data-and-confirmation-bias/), but I suspected in late 2012 that speed to market with that book was essential. Big Data was starting to blow up at that time; I didn't want to risk writing another book on a hackneyed subject in 2015\. (See [social media](https://lmgtfy.com/?q=number+of+social+media+books&ref=philsimon.com).) To his credit, [my former acquisitions editor at Wiley](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-burgard-2738a55/?ref=philsimon.com) agreed to fast-track the book. I wouldn't have signed the contract otherwise. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/citations-1-1.jpg)](https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/philsimonasu/viz/MyGoogleScholarCitations/Dashboard1?ref=philsimon.com) [Here](https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/philsimonasu/viz/MyGoogleScholarCitations/Dashboard1?ref=philsimon.com) is an interactive tree map in Tableau of my citations as of July 28, 2019\. It reflects that *Too Big to Ignore* dominates my citations. It's rewarding to know that my body of work does not go completely unnoticed among my peers. Here's to the next 500 citations. ### Reflections on Carnegie Mellon 25 Years Later URL: https://www.philsimon.com/reflections-on-carnegie-mellon-25-years-later/ Last updated: 2026-01-12T17:59:31.000Z Thoughts on the most important skills and abilities that I picked up at CMU. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Reflections on Supervising More Than 100 Capstone Projects URL: https://www.philsimon.com/reflections-on-more-than-100-capstone-projects/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:06:29.000Z I just wrapped my fifth semester teaching at ASU. On many levels, it was quite the different experience. Most germane to today's post, for the first time I didn't teach [my normal capstone courses](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/courses/). (Universities' needs can quickly change.) Instead, I taught a survey course: Introduction to Information Systems (Honors). Professors can manage capstone courses [in several ways](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/3-ways-manage-capstone-projects/). I choose the method that requires the most work for me but the greatest benefit for my students. This entails hunting down people and organizations with data and technology needs and meaningful projects. Even though I have developed a few shortcuts after more than one hundred of these things, it's no small endeavor. > Professors can manage capstone courses in several ways. Sure, just like in the real world, often [projects break bad](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/capstone-project-problems/). When they succeed, though, the results can be spectacular. Today I'll cover a few of my favorite ones. Note that I'm intentionally omitting company names to provide anonymity. ## Scraping the Web ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/python-1.png) A firm that specializes in executive compensation engaged a group of my [CIS](https://wpcarey.asu.edu/undergraduate-degrees/computer-information-systems?ref=philsimon.com) students to pull [Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings](https://www.sec.gov/oiea/Article/edgarguide.html?ref=philsimon.com). These documents are the very definition of unstructured data. Manually downloading this information and making sense for even a few companies would have taken a great deal of time. Fortunately, a group of smart cookies used the Python library [Beautiful Soup](https://pypi.org/project/beautifulsoup4/?ref=philsimon.com) to scrape largely unstructured data from the Web. The entire script took a long time to run but the results blew my mind. Beyond retrieving gigabytes of data, the team threw in an interactive data visualization to boot. The project sponsor was ecstatic. ![3rd gen. black Amazon echo dot speaker](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1568910748155-01ca989dbdd6?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDF8fGFsZXhhfGVufDB8fHx8MTc1MTQ3MjM4N3ww&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Lazar Gugleta](https://unsplash.com/@lazargugleta?ref=philsimon.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) ## Alexa: Do Something Cool A large financial institution wanted to build a mobile app that would help its older customers apply for loans. Sounds pretty standard, right? Consider that the team built did this with [Alexa's voice-recognition technology](https://developer.amazon.com/alexa?ref=philsimon.com). Watching the six-student team develop the app over the course of the semester served as one of my highlights in my ASU tenure. Beyond building a cutting-edge app, the students had some fun in the class—a key tenet of [my teaching philosophy](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/philosophy/). I grinned from ear to ear after the following exchange: **Student:** Alexa, what is Professor Simon's favorite band? **Alexa:** Professor Simon's favorite band is ...Rush. ## Building a Model for a Startup Finally, in my analytics capstone course, a team three students helping a parking startup build a model for its expansion plans. To do this, the students needed to scrape data, deal with the startup's founders, handle uncertainty, and think critically—just like they will upon graduation. Because of the students' character and work ethic, the team accomplished more than some of its peers more than double its size. Sometimes, less is more. ## Simon Says: Watching students turn their ideas into reality is very rewarding. My experience on IT projects is decidedly mixed. Because of this, watching students succeed while learning important real-world lessons just makes me feel good. It's that very feeling that makes the professor job worth it. ### The Five Best Books I Read in 2018 URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-five-best-books-i-read-in-2018/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T18:32:00.000Z When I decided to [become a college professor](https://www.philsimon.com/professor-simon/), I knew that I'd still be able to retain much of the flexibility that I enjoyed as an independent speaker, writer, [trainer](https://www.philsimon.com/services/training), and advisor. (I'll be curious to see if that remains true.) Make no mistake: Being an effective professor requires a great deal of time and effort. Those who think that doing the job *right* entails just showing up to give a lecture are delusional. Still, my lifestyle allows things outside of work that give me a sense of balance—and reading is one of them. > Here are my five favorites from the past year in no particular order. Depending on what else is going with my professional life, I read anywhere from one to three books per month. I used to review them more frequently [on my site](https://www.philsimon.com/category/blog/book-reviews/) and [HuffPo](https://goo.gl/wDvTzA?ref=philsimon.com) but I've been slacking in that regard as of late. Here are my five favorites from the past year in no particular order. [![](https://i.imgur.com/RhxC8Om.jpg)](https://amzn.to/2EahYvx?ref=philsimon.com) ## Understanding Our Children I often speak to my ASU colleagues and professor friends at other colleges and universities about the state of academia. It doesn't take long for the subject to turn to students and how they've changed. Wanting to know more, I blew through [*The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure*](https://amzn.to/2EahYvx?ref=philsimon.com) by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt. The authors do a fantastic job of explaining how we are preparing the road for the child—not the reverse. Rather than just decry the status quo, however, they propose rational if difficult solutions. Put simply, there's no quick fix to this nuanced problem. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/07/image-1.png) ## Revisiting My Favorite TV Show I can't believe that I missed [*Breaking Bad 101: The Complete Critical Companion*](https://amzn.to/2L6iMD0?ref=philsimon.com) by rock-star TV critic [Alan Sepinwall](https://www.rollingstone.com/author/alan-sepinwall/?ref=philsimon.com) when it came out a little more than a year ago. I rectified that problem pretty quickly. I had read many of Sepinwall's reviews of *Breaking Bad* episodes over the years. Still, there was something special about seeing them all in one place. What's more, the illustrations really jumped off of the page. Less than a day after receiving the book, I finished it. It's that good. [![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71rtQvf5UVL.SR160,240_BG243,243,243.jpg)](https://amzn.to/2L3YBFG?ref=philsimon.com) ## Corporate Greed on Steroids, Part 1 I had heard stories about foul play and questionable ethics at Theranos, but I didn't realize how morally bankrupt its leaders were until I read [*Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup*](https://amzn.to/2L3YBFG?ref=philsimon.com) by John Carreyrou. In a word, *wow*. Elizabeth Holmes and Sunny Balwani belong in prison for their repeated and willful acts of corporate malfeasance. Anyone who argues against the very idea of government regulation should read this book. [![](https://i.imgur.com/hMqJLpV.jpg)](https://amzn.to/2EbXAKz?ref=philsimon.com) ## Anti-Intellectualism Ignited For centuries, many Americans and institutions have viewed intellectuals with more than a fair bit of skepticism. To say that the problem has exacerbated in the last decade is the acme of understatement. Exhibit A: Just look at [the rise of the Anti-Vaxxers](https://www.acsh.org/news/2018/09/11/tyranny-anti-vaxxers-13296?ref=philsimon.com). Against this backdrop, [*The Death of Expertise: The Campaign against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters*](https://amzn.to/2EbXAKz?ref=philsimon.com) by Tom Nichols is riveting. He meticulously explains the sources of the problem and offers some solutions that, by his own admission, are unlikely to really help given the current political environment. [![](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41A1C2XDcPL._SY346_.jpg)](https://amzn.to/2PrmO9B?ref=philsimon.com) ## Corporate Greed on Steroids, Part 2 Books like [*Flash Boys*](https://amzn.to/2PriBTj?ref=philsimon.com) shed light on the lengths to which hedge funds will go in pursuit of the almighty dollar. Michael Lewis' book hardly portrays saints, but by comparison his characters appear far less evil than billionaire [Steven A. Cohen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven%5FA.%5FCohen?ref=philsimon.com). Sheelah Kolhatkar's [*Black Edge: Inside Information, Dirty Money, and the Quest to Bring Down the Most Wanted Man on Wall Street*](https://amzn.to/2PrmO9B?ref=philsimon.com) painstakingly details how Cohen built his empire—ethics be damned. Unfortunately, it's not a piece of fiction. What books moved you this year? ### Chemonics Receives Innovation Award URL: https://www.philsimon.com/chemonics-receives-innovation-award/ Last updated: 2025-09-21T23:33:36.000Z My full-time teaching schedule keeps me pretty busy. At the same time, though, I try to contribute to ASU [in other ways](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/accomplishments). It's a core tenet of [my teaching philosophy](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/philosophy). Today I'm pleased to report some good news. Before I do, though, here's a little background. ## Project Background In July of 2017, my boss approached me about managing a project for Chemonics, and I immediately said yes. In a nutshell, the endeavor would entail building a database to track logistics and shipping data from African countries. I managed a small team of students who had impressed me early on [in my 400-level classes](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/courses). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/azure-1.png) Chemonics initially requested a simple Microsoft Access database as a proof of concept. Given the tool's limitations and Chemonics' business needs, I suggested they use [Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/default.aspx?ref=philsimon.com) in Azure.[1](#fn:1) Cloud computing made more sense here. This approach would allow the organization to extend its database in ways that Access cannot. Additionally, it enabled the development of mobile apps with [Microsoft PowerApps](https://powerapps.microsoft.com/en-us/?ref=philsimon.com) and the use of [Azure Blob Storage](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/storage/blobs/?ref=philsimon.com) for unstructured data like photos and PDFs. Chemonics agreed with the assessment and moved forward with the plan. > Cloud computing just made sense in this case. Over the course of five months, the team followed [Scrum](https://www.scrum.org/?ref=philsimon.com)—a popular Agile software-development methodology. I served as the [product owner](https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-owner?ref=philsimon.com) and maintained the [product backlog](https://www.scrum.org/resources/what-is-a-product-backlog?ref=philsimon.com). For collaboration, we religiously used Slack, Trello, Skype, and Google Docs. I can count on one hand the number of e-mails that I sent over the course of six-plus months, and I never had to invoke my [three-e-mail rule](https://www.businessinsider.com/the-3-email-rule-2015-5?ref=philsimon.com). ## Going Above and Beyond Aside from delivering more functionality than requested, we came in 40 percent *under* budget and ahead of schedule. As I write in *Why New Systems Fail*, that doesn't happen frequently. In early 2018, with oodles of [capstone projects](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/3-ways-manage-capstone-projects/) to find and supervise for the forthcoming semester, I ceded control of the project to my friend and colleague [Hina Arora](https://wpcarey.asu.edu/people/profile/743649?ref=philsimon.com). Today I'm pleased to announce that the project won an Industry Innovators Award. From the USAID announcement (since taken down for some reason): Chemonics won an Industry Innovators Award to recognize its collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU) to develop a transport management tool called TransIT, which is also being used on the GHSC-PSM project. Although transportation management systems are important for tracking where shipments are at any given time, whether they’ve been delivered, and costs at each stage, many commercial solutions are too costly or not flexible enough for diverse and low-resource environments. Together, Chemonics and ASU developed TransIT to offer a low-cost, flexible, customizable product that can be adapted to the needs of each country partner and its operations. This customized database aggregates end-to-end data—from distribution planning through delivery to the recipient—to track performance, location, and costs as commodities move through the in-country distribution network, which enables operations to run smoothly and on time. ## Simon Says Being recognized for good work never gets old. Beyond that, I particularly enjoyed giving my students and team members some real-world experience that complements what they learned in my class and at ASU. #### Footnotes 1. We used Access as the front end with a note to move it to [Visual Studio](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/?ref=philsimon.com) in a later phase.[↩](#fnref:1 "Jump back to content") ### Making Class Memorable With a Basketball-Inspired Python Example URL: https://www.philsimon.com/class-memorable-basketball-inspired-python/ Last updated: 2025-07-03T00:04:06.000Z A little program to calculate game logs and stimulate student interest. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Having Fun With Python in the Classroom URL: https://www.philsimon.com/having-fun-python-classroom/ Last updated: 2025-12-20T14:11:18.000Z Using pop-culture references to make potentially boring coding exercises more interesting. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### In Defense of Using PowerPoint in the Classroom URL: https://www.philsimon.com/in-defense-of-using-powerpoint-in-the-classroom/ Last updated: 2025-09-26T11:10:04.000Z When you see horrible slides, blame the Indian, not the arrow. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Four Myths About Slack URL: https://www.philsimon.com/four-myths-about-slack/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:39.000Z Shedding some much-needed light on what the collaboration tool can and can't do. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Pros and Cons of Teaching Back-to-Back Sections URL: https://www.philsimon.com/pros-cons-teaching-back-to-back-sections/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:39.000Z This semester I'm teaching four 50-minute sections of [CIS236: Honors Introduction to Information Systems](https://content.screencast.com/users/ThePhilSimon/folders/Jing/media/691ebabe-688a-4b4b-b799-f3b8c6e26832/00000390.png?ref=philsimon.com) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This is quite the change from previous semesters. In the[ past](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/courses), I taught two consecutive 75-minute sections Monday through Thursday. In this post, I'll describe some of pros and cons of teaching back-to-back sections. ## Pros My day is compressed. I typically arrive on campus around 9 a.m. for my 9:40 class. I like to walk into each class at least 15 minutes beforehand to [set up my gear](https://t.co/BZif4yUz0T?ref=philsimon.com) and talk to students. I have found that they appreciate it, especially when they need answers to simple questions and they didn't want to use [Slack](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/use-slack-inside-classroom/). I then teach my first two sections, grab a quick lunch, hold my formal office hours, teach my last two sections, and head home around 2:50 p.m. On a strictly personal level, this is very efficient. I largely avoid traffic, but that's hardly the only benefit. Much like a good standup comedian, to some extent I can practice material on my first section. In this way, I can squash bugs that would appear in future lectures. For instance, I can refine a slide, retire a joke that didn't fly, or clarify a point or concept. (It turns out that successful comedians such as Chris Rock routinely do this. For more here, check out [*Little Bets*](https://amzn.to/2NuvBKX?ref=philsimon.com) \[affiliate link\].) > We professors are just like everyone else: We need to deal with change. I doubt that I start out at my peak level. I also suspect that I'm at performing at best in my third class. By that point, I know what has worked before and what hasn't. (I'm interested in what [my student-evaluation data](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/studentevaluations) has to say about this at the end of the semester.) ## Cons CIS236 is a [survey course](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/survey%20course?ref=philsimon.com) and, by design, we cover a great deal of material very quickly. It's akin to a 10-lb. bag with 30 pounds worth of, er, stuff. I often joke that it's easier for me to list the topics that we *don't* cover over the course of 14 weeks. As a result, by the start of the fourth section at 2 p.m., I'm gassed and need a 20-minute power nap when I get home. It reminds me of when I'd teach three- and four-day software classes at Lawson Software. I had to be "on" not only when I addressed the class, but during breaks as well. Attendees asked me rapid-fire questions and students do the same. In short, I didn't have much time to recover and [take a breath](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isekWlmtibM&ref=philsimon.com). **Tip:** [Oars and Alps Cooling + Cleansing Wipes](https://amzn.to/2Mi8gYu?ref=philsimon.com) provide much-needed refreshment after my second section. When I lecture, I use PowerPoint slides to communicate knowledge but also to keep me on track. I try hard not [be stiff](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPbg21cSR5Y&ref=philsimon.com) and often improvise *how* I make a point. Doing so helps keep the material fresh. (One of my new students already called me *engaging* and my [early-semester evaluations](https://www.philsimon.com/early-student-evaluations/) were very positive.) At the same time, though, that approach comes with a cost because I'm not a spring chicken anymore. I occasionally forget if I mentioned something in this current section or the one before. #GroundhogDay [Phil Simon: What CD Sales Teach Us About the Future of WorkIn which I drop a panoply of music references and liken the idea of returning to an office to a nearly obsolete product.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/cropped-newlogo-186.png)Phil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/255-200-1.png)](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/management/what-cd-sales-future-work/) ## Simon Says: A Compressed Schedule Is No Picnic but It's Manageable. My current teaching schedule isn't objectively better or worse than its antecedents; it's just different—and professors need to deal with change. I use Tuesdays and Thursdays to grade assignments and exams, prepare materials for future lectures, provide [services](https://www.philsimon.com/services) for my clients, and recover. ## Feedback ### What I've Learned From My Student Evaluations URL: https://www.philsimon.com/lessons-student-evaluations/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:39.000Z Thoughts on what the data tells me—and what else I'd like to know. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Audiobook of Analytics: The Agile Way Is Now Available URL: https://www.philsimon.com/audiobook-of-analytics-the-agile-way-is-now-available/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:09:27.000Z *Analytics: The Agile Way is now available as an unabridged audiobook. Check out a five-minute sample below or buy it* [*here*](https://amzn.to/2PqpWUy?ref=philsimon.com)*.* This is my second book that Wiley has offered in this format joining *Message Not Received*. Props to narrator [Greg Tremblay](https://gregtremblay.com/?ref=philsimon.com). ### Thoughts on Teaching Older Students URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thoughts-on-teaching-older-students/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:09:53.000Z What do when someone possesses a great deal of professional experience. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Lessons From Slack's Origins URL: https://www.philsimon.com/slack-origins-lessons/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:40.000Z A pox on you if you think that the idea behind the popular collaboration tool was someone's master plan. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Thoughts on Facebook's Stock Drop URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thoughts-on-facebooks-stock-drop/ Last updated: 2025-06-25T16:03:53.000Z ![](https://media.giphy.com/media/tKl3EU3qe9krdUvyi8/giphy.gif) I recently did an interview with Blick, one of Switzerland's largest media properties.(Click [here](https://www.blick.ch/news/wirtschaft/experten-erklaeren-die-facebook-krise-zu-viel-werbung-zu-viele-skandale-id8662706.html?ref=philsimon.com) to check it out.) I touched upon the Facebook's [historic stock plunge](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/facebook-stock-crushed-after-revenue-user-growth-miss-2018-07-25?ref=philsimon.com). Here is the unedited version. ## Is Facebook still the leader in social media? Yes, it’s the largest social network in the history of the world. For context, more people use Facebook each month than belong to any religious group [save for Christianity](https://qz.com/1057510/facebook-has-more-people-than-any-major-religion-except-christianity/?ref=philsimon.com). Brass tacks: Mark Zuckerberg finally realized that he has created something that he cannot entirely control. That’s the lesson from his testifying in front of the U.S. Congress. ## Why is Facebook not as popular anymore? Make no mistake: Facebook is still very popular. Let’s not forget that its user growth slowed last quarter but it still grew. ![](https://beta.techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/facebook-historical-user-count-graph.png?w=680) Source: [TechCrunch](https://www.recode.net/2018/1/31/16957546/facebook-time-spent-decline-mark-zuckerberg-explanation-q4-earnings-2018?ref=philsimon.com) This isn’t easy to do when a company's users exceed two *billion*. By way of comparison, Twitter stalled at about [325 million monthly active users](https://www.statista.com/statistics/282087/number-of-monthly-active-twitter-users/?ref=philsimon.com) (MAUs) and MySpace never approached even that number. > Give Zuck credit for wanting to stop fake news on the social network. Facebook’s rate of user growth has been [slowing for some time now](https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/27/facebook-2-billion-users/?ref=philsimon.com). Zuck wants people to spend quality time on the site. That is a big shift from years past. Investors are rightly concerned that people will spend less time on the social network. This means fewer ads served. This means less money. Remember that Facebook’s real customers aren’t its users; users are the product. Facebook’s true customers are advertisers. Users are just a means to an end. ## Where did Facebook go wrong? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/facebooklogo-11.png) Facebook has turned a blind eye to years of privacy and security complaints. I addressed this issue back in *The Age of the Platform*. I'm hardly alone in this regard. After many *mea culpas*, Zuck finally realized the power and reach of his company. Russian operatives weaponized his social network—as well as others. With the [Cambridge Analytica scandal](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/04/us/politics/cambridge-analytica-scandal-fallout.html?ref=philsimon.com), the company reached a tipping point. Give Zuck some credit, though, for wanting to stop fake news on the social network—even if that means a significant correction in the stock price. ## What could Facebook have done better? Facebook should have heeded the warnings of users, business leaders, and even some progressive politicians. Even if it had, though, the company's scale and power is unprecedented. It was only a matter of time before something like this happened. ## Who benefits from an unregulated Facebook? Bad actors. We have seen how they can manipulate people’s behavior and spread fake news. Those opposed to democracy and who want to cause us harm stand to benefit. ## Do you think the scandal will affect Facebook in the long-term? Yes, to some extent. First let’s discuss Facebook’s market share. Along with Google, Facebook is part of a [duopoly in digital advertising](https://www.adweek.com/tv-video/how-publishers-can-compete-with-the-facebook-google-duopoly/?ref=philsimon.com). Advertisers will flock to Facebook because there simply aren’t many alternatives. Twitter, Pinterest, and the like are rounding errors and niche products—at least for the time being. Facebook lost about [one million users due to the enactment of GDPR](https://www.engadget.com/2018/07/25/facebook-lost-1-million-monthly-active-users-to-gdpr/?ref=philsimon.com), but the reason for the stock’s drop appears to be pretty prosaic: investors' long-term outlook has soured. Zuck is committed to making Facebook "safer." This means more [quality time on this site](https://www.recode.net/2018/1/31/16957546/facebook-time-spent-decline-mark-zuckerberg-explanation-q4-earnings-2018?ref=philsimon.com). What's more, [his nearly unprecedented voting power](https://www.economist.com/business/2017/09/30/facebook-and-the-meaning-of-share-ownership?ref=philsimon.com) allows him to do just that irrespective of what John Q. Shareholder thinks. As for its two-billion-plus users, where else are people realistically going to go? Like Amazon, Apple, and Google, Facebook benefits from massive [network effects](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network%5Feffect?ref=philsimon.com). I can't imagine too many venture capitalists funding a new social network right now. Until and unless people leave in droves, Facebook will continue to be profitable—just maybe not as much as before. ## Hey Zuck: The Party's Over With a nod to Journey ... ### How to Successfully Introduce Slack in the Classroom URL: https://www.philsimon.com/successfully-introduce-slack/ Last updated: 2025-12-30T10:17:43.000Z Tips for professors new to the collaboration tool. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Why I Often Answer Analytics Students' Questions With Questions URL: https://www.philsimon.com/analytics-students/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:11:22.000Z Thoughts on the Socratic method, critical thinking, and providing too much guidance. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Does Uber treat its driver-partners fairly? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/does-uber-treat-its-driver-partners-fairly/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:40.000Z Thoughts on the company's data and price discrimination. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Traits and Skills of Effective Professors URL: https://www.philsimon.com/effective-professors/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:11:52.000Z I just reviewed my evaluations from last semester and updated the interactive data visualization [here](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/#evaluations). It's obvious to me that I've made quite a bit of progress as a professor over the past two years. This begs the question: Why? In this post, I'll describe some traits and skills of effective professors. In this walk down memory lane, I'll cite a few anecdotes from my own days as a student. ## Public Speaking To be sure, being an effective professor entails more than just speaking good well. Students who can't understand their professors can't very well learn them. I can remember a few clearly intelligent professors at Carnegie Mellow who routinely confused their students. When [I accepted my position more than two years ago](https://www.philsimon.com/professor-simon/), I knew that my history of speaking in front of large groups of people would translate well in academia. I wasn't wrong. The ability to speak well in public as a quintessential [hygiene factor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-factor%5Ftheory?ref=philsimon.com). That is, its presence doesn't guarantee anything but its absence certainly does. In the publishing world, analogues such as book endorsements or [covers](https://www.motionpub.com/blog/publishing/book-cover-quintessential-hygiene-factor/?ref=philsimon.com) come to mind. Put differently, speaking well is necessary but not sufficient for doing the job well. ## Availability > Why not make yourself as available as possible to your students? Rarely as a freshman at Carnegie Mellon did I get any one-on-one time with my professors. Most of them taught hundreds of students each semester and I relied upon Friday sections to ask my teaching assistants questions. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/0998587516-1.jpg) As a junior and senior (and as a grad student), that changed. I can remember having questions about assignments and walking into their offices for a quick conversation. Sure, they were busy with preparation, research, and committee work. That didn't stop them from indulging me and offering their input on projects when I asked. This isn't just about showing up during office hours. I frequently arrive at least fifteen minutes before class to set up and answer any questions that my students may have. Dr. Norman Eng recommends as much in [*Teaching College: The Ultimate Guide to Lecturing, Presenting, and Engaging Students*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998587516?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com) (affiliate link). Why not make yourself as available as possible to your students? ## Real-World Experience My favorite professor as an undergraduate was [Paul Whitehead](https://lser.la.psu.edu/directory/pvw11?ref=philsimon.com), then an attorney at the United Steelworkers and now a professor of practice at Penn State. I absolutely loved his three-hour class Business and Labor. Rather than relying solely upon the theory of collective bargaining, he brought riveting examples to the table that a Ph.D. simply could not. I never forgot that lesson. ## Referencing Past Courses Whether students major in analytics, information systems (IS), or marketing, all programs ideally build upon previous coursework. In my case, I know that the students in my [capstone courses](https://www.philsimon.com/tag/capstone-projects/) are seniors. As such, they all took classes in finance, statistics, database development, etc. Tying in prior classes reinforces both the method to the program's madness as well as my class's real-world application to prior coursework. For instance, I'll ask questions about finance-related matters such as [SOX](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarbanes%E2%80%93Oxley%5FAct?ref=philsimon.com). I do the same with statistics, databases, and other core courses that they have taken. Some students invariably blew off those courses. Perhaps they'll realize that they should revisit the material because it was, you know, important. ## Sense of Humor Some of my professors sometimes poked fun at themselves in class. Sure, they took what they did seriously but they didn't take *themselves* too seriously. [Peter Stearns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter%5FStearns?ref=philsimon.com) taught World History at Carnegie Mellon to 300 freshman students every semester. His intellect and knowledge blew me away, but he would sprinkle in an occasional joke in the midst of a lecture on the Middle Ages. I labor to do the same. It's not uncommon for me to quote Homer Simpson in a lecture about why systems fail. For a deeper look at my sense of humor, check out [my teaching philosophy](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/philosophy). ## Humility My favorite professors were not afraid to say "I don't know" when that was the case. I do the same thing during the Q&A session after my [keynote talks](https://www.philsimon.com/speaking/in-action/). I can't imagine having an opinion on everything and some student questions come from left field. Finally, they would freely cop to mistakes—something that I do. If I get a date or fact wrong, I'll admit as much. A few times, I've misstated something but no one caught me. I then posted the correction in Slack. Facts matter more than ever. ## Tact Academia in general can be a fickle place and ASU is no exception to this rule. [Agency Theory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal%E2%80%93agent%5Fproblem?ref=philsimon.com) is alive and well, a lesson that I learned on a separate project that I managed for my department. The question isn't *if* conflict or disagreements will occur. It's *when*. > If my students can't understand me, then how can they learn from me? I can think of a few dicey situations in grad school in which my professors handled with aplomb. I like to think that my background of navigating tricky waters as a consultant helps me in this regard. Fresh out of grad school, few of my friends and colleagues would have given me high marks on the tact scale. Over the last twenty years, though, I have significantly improved in this regard. I look back at a few prickly situations over the past few two years. I know that my tact helped achieve the outcome that I desired—or at least averted a disaster. ## Willingness to Change Sometimes our best ideas don't work out so well in practice. Although most of my [in-class exercises](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/data/analytics/three-of-my-favorite-in-class-exercises/) achieve their desired outcomes, some did not. Case in point: an early effort in my analytics class to predict Twitter's acquisition price when takeover rumors were scorching. My exercise turned out to work far better in my head than it did in front of 30 students. In that case, I decided to junk the exercise altogether and replace it with a better one. In another instance, I listened to student feedback and routinely granted five minutes at the end of my capstone courses for brief group meetings once they had made their choices. ## Simon Says: Effective professors are self-aware. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/simonsays-6.jpg) By no means are effective professors perfect but they are certainly self-aware. Perhaps it's as simple as that. ### Why I Teach URL: https://www.philsimon.com/why-i-teach/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:12:25.000Z My motivations behind my choice of vocations. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Office Setup of a Tech-Savvy Professor URL: https://www.philsimon.com/office-setup-tech-savvy-professor/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T20:22:25.000Z I get the whole minimalism movement. Really. Still, I just don't see how a spartan office setup is possible for a tech-savvy professor. In this post, I'll list and describe the tchotchkes that I use in the office and the classroom. Note that I'm leaving out some personal devices such as my iPhone and iPad. All non-Apple affiliate links below go to each product's Amazon page. ## In the Office It all starts with my [15" MacBook Pro](https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/?ref=philsimon.com). I won't provide all of the technical specs but my laptop hums with 16 GB of memory. > If ASU didn't allow me to use a Mac, I don't know if I would have accepted the position. I've been a fan for a long time. I [switched to a Mac in 2010](https://www.philsimon.com/my-transition-1/) and only regret having waited that long. If ASU didn't allow me to use a Mac, I don't know if I would have accepted the position. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/monitor.jpg) #### Monitor For years I've been a two-monitor guy. The increase in productivity isn't two-fold; I find that it's exponential. For me, 23" (give or take) is the sweet spot. I'm a fan of [the Dell SE2416HX 23.8" Screen LED-Lit IPS Monitor](https://amzn.to/2KX9s3w?ref=philsimon.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/stand.jpg) #### Stand For years I've been a two-monitor guy. The increase in productivity isn't two-fold; I find that it's exponential. For me, 23" (give or take) is the sweet spot. I'm a fan of [the Dell SE2416HX 23.8" Screen LED-Lit IPS Monitor](https://amzn.to/2KX9s3w?ref=philsimon.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/keyboard.jpg) #### Keyboard It's just not healthy to hover over a computer all day. In my PC days, I used to use a Microsoft ergonomic keyboard. I haven't found proper one for the Mac that works for me. As a placeholder, I use the [Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FKV6AKS?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/mouse.jpg) #### Mouse I can't imagine using a "normal" wired mouse these days. As you can see, my desk is cluttered enough. I find that [this Anker AK-UBA 2.4G Wireless Vertical Ergonomic Optical Mouse](https://amzn.to/2J4QG8z?ref=philsimon.com) minimizes any wrist pain. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/HD.jpg) #### External HD It's silly not to back up your data—and not just in one place. For physical storage, I use this [Western Digital USB 3.0 2 TB external hard drive](https://amzn.to/2KXZ3Ih?ref=philsimon.com). Because ASU has purchased a Dropbox business license, I keep all of my files "in the cloud." This way, I'm protected if something happens to my external hard drive (which is exactly what happened last month). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/mousepad.jpg) #### Mouse Pad To provide additional wrist support, both at work and in the office I use the [Belkin WaveRest Gel Mouse Pad](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000JRRD?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). That extra 1.5" or so of support really helps if I'm at my computer for more than a few hours. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/hub.jpg) #### USB Adaptor There's no way that I could get by with only a few USB ports. Because of this, I add a bunch more with [the USB Hub 3.0 Splitter, LYFNLOVE 7-Port USB](https://amzn.to/2zjbFow?ref=philsimon.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/headphones.jpg) #### Headphones I'm always listening to music but I don't want to disturb my colleagues. A while back I bought the [Skullcandy Hesh 2 Bluetooth Wireless Over-Ear Headphones](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013J7JM4K?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com) and I have no complaints. ## In the Classroom I'll sprinkle in videos throughout the semester. I pause the video at key points to spark in-class discussion. (I just can't dial up Jeff Bezos and have him give a guest lecture. A pre-recorded interview has to suffice.) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/stand2.jpg) #### Portable Laptop Stand Some ASU classrooms sport desks with adjustable heights. Unfortunately, not all of them do. Because I keep my slides as spartan as possible, I often include some notes in PowerPoint presenter view. This means that I need the laptop as close to my eyes as possible. The lightweight and portable [Filo Laptop Stand](https://fliostand.com/?ref=philsimon.com) is nothing short of a godsend. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/speaker.png) #### Speaker Although all ASU classrooms sport audio-visual systems, some are a little janky. In some cases, it’s just easier for me to use my computer’s native Bluetooth functionality. To this end, I’ll just bring my [Beats Pill 2.0 Portable Speaker](https://amzn.to/2J4O5vl?ref=philsimon.com) and turn it on. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/speaker-1.jpg) #### Slide Advancer I use slides and like to walk around when I lecture. I can’t imagine being tied to the desk and advancing my slides manually. Because of this, I use this [Wireless Laser Presenter](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M6ZB4GX?philsim-20&ref=philsimon.com). For some reason, the laser doesn’t work sometimes but it’s not a big problem for the most part. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/06/kipling-1.jpg) #### Backpack To put it mildly, my [backpack](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsRP9EUrXjo&ref=philsimon.com) is pretty full. My shoulders and back have been revolting and I decided to listen to my body. I've recently swapped out my backpack for [the Kipling Alcatraz Solid Laptop Wheeled model](https://amzn.to/2QCBBjp?ref=philsimon.com). When you put it all together, it looks something like this: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/office-jpeg-1.jpg) (In case you're wondering, that's a Marillion backstage pass sticker next to my Mac's touchpad.) [Phil Simon: Department Names Don’t Matter. Just Help Me.More Apple issues are grinding my gears.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/cropped-newlogo-40.png)Phil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/rude.jpg)](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/technology/just-help-me/) ## Simon Says: This office setup works for me. That covers everything. It might seem a bit elaborate, but collectively all of this gear helps me get quite a bit done in the office and in the classroom. (For my preferred software, click [here](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/tools-tech-savvy-professor/).) --- ⌨️ It turns out that my setup closely resembles that of my friend [Josh Bernoff](https://withoutbullshit.com/blog/a-tip-for-writers-how-i-maximize-productivity-with-3-monitors?ref=philsimon.com). ### Three Main Types of Capstone Project Problems URL: https://www.philsimon.com/capstone-project-problems/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:12:36.000Z Thoughts on some common issues and what to do about them. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Case for Early Student Evaluations URL: https://www.philsimon.com/early-student-evaluations/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T13:59:30.000Z How feedback at the start of the semester can help nip issues in the bud. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Four Sites That I Recommend to My Analytics Students URL: https://www.philsimon.com/four-sites-for-my-analytics-students/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:13:26.000Z Those who can effectively incorporate data and analytics into their writing are poised to prosper. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Three of My Favorite In-class Exercises URL: https://www.philsimon.com/three-of-my-favorite-in-class-exercises/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T13:31:21.000Z A few of the ways that I try to make learning as active as possible. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Why I Have Never Visited My Rate My Professor Page URL: https://www.philsimon.com/why-i-have-never-visited-my-rate-my-professor-page/ Last updated: 2025-09-17T10:46:23.000Z And why I never will. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Why I'm Switching to Canvas This Summer URL: https://www.philsimon.com/switching-to-canvas/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:41.000Z I'm all in on ASU's new learning management system. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Tools of a Tech-Savvy Professor URL: https://www.philsimon.com/tools-tech-savvy-professor/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T21:20:51.000Z These applications and tchotchkes make my life quite a bit easier. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Three Ways to Manage Capstone Projects URL: https://www.philsimon.com/3-ways-manage-capstone-projects/ Last updated: 2025-07-12T21:24:38.000Z Looking at the different approaches to impart knowledge. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Visualizing Flows URL: https://www.philsimon.com/visualizing-flows/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:14:12.000Z Sankey diagrams can display data in very interesting ways. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### My Latest HBR Article on the Benefits of Friction URL: https://www.philsimon.com/my-latest-hbr-article/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:14:35.000Z Over the years, I've been able to land more than my fair share of [high-level media placements](https://www.philsimon.com/about-phil/media-mentions/). Collectively, they have helped me get to where I am today. Few are more prestigious, though, than [the pieces that I have written for ](https://hbr.org/search?search%5Ftype=search-all&term=phil+simon&ref=philsimon.com)[*Harvard Business Review*](https://hbr.org/search?search%5Ftype=search-all&term=phil+simon&ref=philsimon.com). (Click [here](https://www.philsimon.com/hbr-webinar-visual-organization/) for to watch my webinar on *The Visual Organization*.) A few months ago, I saw a call for stories on data-driven ways that companies have solved problems. I approached the folks at HBR. My pitch: how one organization dealt with a particularly thorny data issue using Agile methods. Yes, Nextdoor *added* friction to its product and made it harder to use. After a bit of back-and-forth, the article—excerpted from [*Analytics: The Agile Way*](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1119423473?psimo-20&ref=philsimon.com)—is now live. [Have at it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfdO97xYG%5F8&ref=philsimon.com) below. > How Nextdoor Addressed Racial Profiling on Its Platform [https://t.co/SYyGdJPH51](https://t.co/SYyGdJPH51?ref=philsimon.com) > > — Harvard Biz Review (@HarvardBiz) [May 11, 2018](https://twitter.com/HarvardBiz/status/994945953584025600?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=philsimon.com) --- ## Postscript This piece will appear in the book [*Agile: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review*](https://amzn.to/2Tp2StQ?ref=philsimon.com). ### Slack Channels of a College Professor URL: https://www.philsimon.com/slack-channels-college-professor/ Last updated: 2025-06-20T20:54:16.000Z How I separate communication with my students and keep myself sane in the process. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Characteristics of My Best Students URL: https://www.philsimon.com/characteristics-of-my-best-students/ Last updated: 2025-07-12T21:25:48.000Z These traits set my star pupils apart. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Courses I Would Love to Teach URL: https://www.philsimon.com/four-courses-i-would-love-to-teach/ Last updated: 2025-08-29T20:49:06.000Z I find teaching in general to be rewarding. Based on my background and interests, being able to impart valuable lessons on [analytics and system design](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/courses) to my students gives me great joy. And there's more: Because I teach capstone courses, I get to help students solve organizations' real data- and tech-oriented problems. It would be foolish for me to think, though, that I'll *always* teach these courses (True to form, weeks after penning this post, my department needed me to teach an [introduction to information systems survey course](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/courses/#236).) Times certainly change, and colleges adapt their curricula as well based on new trends. ASU is a case in point. I've been contributing material to a new blockchain course. Over the past few months, I've contemplated additional courses that I'd enjoy teaching and developing at some point in my career. Four come to mind, at least two of which already exist in some form at different universities. ## Platform Thinking: Lessons from Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google 🏫 ****Prospective audiences:** Undergraduate seniors, MBA/MIS grad students, executive education ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/aafg-jpeg-1.jpg) Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and other über-successful companies predicate their entire business on platforms. *The Age of the Platform*, [*Platform Revolution: How Networked Markets Are Transforming the Economy*](https://www.amazon.com/Platform-Revolution-Networked-Markets-Transforming/dp/0393249131/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=sl1&tag=phisim-20&linkId=8743fc4812fb95b16a8dd2b4203f5bf4&ref=philsimon.com), and many other texts have explored this phenomenon. Why not take the best texts and literature on the topic and create a proper undergraduate or graduate curriculum? Imagine a 13-week course that explores how platform thinking. I could see this course covering strategies, benefits, and drawbacks of true platforms. With regard to the latter, there's no shortage of the latter these days. Some prominent folks, such as Scott Galloway of NYU's Stern School of Business, are even calling to break up the Gang of Four. Unlike when I wrote *The Age of the Platform* in 2011, it's not a difficult argument to make these days. No, a course on platforms isn't a crazy idea. Prominent schools such as [Boston University](https://www.bu.edu/executive-courses/platform-strategies/?ref=philsimon.com) already offer one. Put bluntly, more should. Case in point: Given the success of Airbnb, Uber, and other newfangled platforms, it's obvious that the most important business model of the 21st century isn't going away any time soon. ## Data and Ethics 🏫 ****Prospective audiences:** Juniors, seniors, and grad students For a long time now, corporations have been able to do both powerful and scary things thanks in large part to massive troves of data. Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Netflix might be the highest profile of the lot, but they are hardly alone. Yes, [you can opt out of ads](https://www.philsimon.com/how-to-opt-out-of-acxiom-ads/), but that won't guarantee anything. Organizations can still do things with data that may make you uncomfortable, but should they? There's plenty of precedent for a course on the ethical side of data and analytics. Click [here](https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/technology-ethics/resources/an-introduction-to-data-ethics/?ref=philsimon.com) for information on a course at Santa Clara University. I can think of a few more essential topics to cover these days than the intersection of data and ethics. ## The Future of Work ℹ️ ****Prospective audiences:** Seniors and grad students The changes in the workplace over the past three years have been tectonic. My last four [books](https://www.philsimon.com/books) cover many of them, and I would enjoy teaching such a valuable and timely class. ## Technology and Communication 🏫 ****Prospective audiences:** Seniors and grad students All too often, we think that we're communicating effectively when we are not. Sure, we send that e-mail or memo, but did our recipient *really* understand our point? Drawing upon lessons from [*Message Not Received*](https://www.philsimon.com/book-message-not-received/), I'd thoroughly enjoy teaching a course on business communication. Surely, the course would cover effective public speaking and writing as well as the perils of excessive e-mail and jargon. Beyond stating the obvious problems with the status quo in corporate communication, I'd discuss solutions by way of the case studies explained in the book. ## Amazon: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly 🏫 ****Prospective audiences:** All undergrad and grad students Perhaps no company is as controversial, powerful, innovative, and [customer-centric](https://delight.us/earths-most-customer-centric-company/?ref=philsimon.com) as Jeff Bezos' brainchild. I could envision a course that starts with the company's modest beginnings and covers [AWS](https://aws.amazon.com/?ref=philsimon.com), Alexa, and failures such as the Fire Phone. The way that the company uses data and tech continues to amaze me. What's more, it's certainly [not an easy place to work](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/16/technology/inside-amazon-wrestling-big-ideas-in-a-bruising-workplace.html?ref=philsimon.com). ## Critical Thinking on Steroids ℹ️ ****Prospective audiences:** Seniors and grad students This course already exists at the University of Washington. If I were 21 again, I'd enroll immediately in [Calling Bullshit: Data Reasoning in a Digital World](https://callingbullshit.org/?ref=philsimon.com). > The need to think critically will only increase for the foreseeable future. I think more than ever about the downsides of all of this tech and data. Those who only see the upsides are [fooling themselves](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwPS19swwiA&ref=philsimon.com). (Couldn't resist.) In an era of pervasive disinformation, the need to think critically will only increase for the foreseeable future. Those who dubiously answer questions with “I saw it on the Internet” will continue to appear ill-informed. [Why All College Students Need to Know the Basics of CodingEven finance, accounting, and marketing majors should understand what makes software tick.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-145.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1498050108023-c5249f4df085)](https://www.philsimon.com/why-all-college-students-need-to-know-the-basics-of-coding/) ## Simon Says As I continue my academic career, I hope to explore these rich and evolving subjects in more depth. ### What if Facebook had charged its users? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/what-if-facebook-had-charged-its-users/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:26:58.000Z As a kid, I enjoyed Woody Woodpecker. I was particularly fond of the following line: ![](https://gifimage.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/facebook-animated-gif-20.gif) In light of [Facebook's greatest crisis to date](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/21/technology/users-abandon-facebook.html?ref=philsimon.com) and [enormous loss of market value](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-20/facebook-sees-tesla-sized-chunk-vanish-from-market-cap-in-2-days?ref=philsimon.com), I can't help but think of that iconic cartoon quip. That is, what if Facebook had charged users all along? In fact, I argued [more than five years ago](https://www.inc.com/phil-simon/open-letter-to-mark-zuckerberg.html?ref=philsimon.com) that the company should begin charging its users in lieu of *indirectly* monetizing them via their data. Of course, it's a moot point now. That genie is out of the bottle. [Boycotts](https://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-employees-delete-facebook-2018-3?r=UK&IR=T&ref=philsimon.com) and [#DeleteFacebook](https://twitter.com/hashtag/deletefacebook?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Ehashtag&ref=philsimon.com) are gaining steam. (I deleted my own account last night) Facebook's senior leadership is in damage-control mode. We may well look back at recent events as a tipping point for Zuck et. al. The Cambridge Analytica scandal may irrevocably alter the company's image and growth prospects. It may be the harbinger for regulation, and not just in the privacy-conscious EU. Still, I wonder if the company would find itself in its current predicament if it had *directly* monetized its users. > It's quite possible that the world would be a very different place right now. On one hand, hackers and other bad actors still may have been able to access a great deal of information on 50 million Americans alone. So there's that. But we're not talking about a proper security breach here. This wasn't a hack à la [Equifax](https://money.cnn.com/2018/02/09/pf/equifax-hack-senate-disclosure/index.html?ref=philsimon.com). Rather, we have to consider the underlying business model of platform companies and [their need to make money](https://shift.newco.co/its-not-the-platforms-that-need-regulation-2f55177a2297?ref=philsimon.com). As I write in *The Age of the Platform*, [application programming interfaces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application%5Fprogramming%5Finterface?ref=philsimon.com) (APIs) allow developers to do interesting things with a company's core offerings. They effectively externalize innovation. Remember that [Apple launched the iPhone in 2007 sans an app store](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/App%5FStore%5F%28iOS%29?ref=philsimon.com). Steve Jobs was smart enough to realize that even his mighty, iconic juggernaut could not develop apps with the speed and depth of a vibrant developer community. As Cambridge Analytica demonstrates, not all apps are benign time-wasters such as Angry Birds. Far from it. Does this economic imperative excuse Facebook's [lax approach to privacy over the years](https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebooks-lax-data-policies-led-to-cambridge-analytica-crisis-1521590720?ref=philsimon.com)? Of course not, especially since [Facebook relies upon the trust of its users](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/19/roger-mcnamee-facebook-is-losing-consumer-trust.html?ref=philsimon.com). To be fair, though, consider the following. Is it possible for a publicly traded company sporting 2.2 billion users and outsize influence to completely police itself? We are learning the dangerous answer to that question. As many have pointed out in the past few weeks, Facebook, Twitter, and Google have become too powerful for even their founders to control. (Case in point: [Twitter is asking its own users for help to make it less toxic](https://www.engadget.com/2018/03/01/twitter-wants-help-fixing-toxicity/?ref=philsimon.com).) Facebook's imbroglio demonstrates the downsides of a platform being too open, but consider the alternative: By closing itself off to advertisers and third-party developers, $FB would not have ascended to such lofty levels. ## Simon Says News is unfolding quickly, but I can't help but wonder what would have happened if Facebook would have allowed its users to become actual customers. Make no mistake: [there's a big difference](https://www.philsimon.com/google-reader-and-the-tension-between-users-and-customers/). What if no developers could have accessed so much of our valuable data, *no matter what their apps were trying to do*? The world would be a very different place right now. ### Dataviz: Interactivity Increases Understanding URL: https://www.philsimon.com/dataviz-interactivity-increases-understanding/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:16:46.000Z A few more minutes of development can pay off in spades. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Message Not Received: Chinese Version URL: https://www.philsimon.com/message-not-received-chinese/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T00:41:12.000Z I'm pleased to announce that *Message Not Received* is now available in Chinese. Props to the folks at Wiley. This is my third book that now sports a Chinese edition. *Too Big to Ignore* and *The Visual Organization* are the others. 好消息 ### Why I Barely Tweet Anymore URL: https://www.philsimon.com/barely-tweet-anymore/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:17:18.000Z From ten times per day to ten times per month. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Reflections on 2017 URL: https://www.philsimon.com/reflections-on-2017/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:17:41.000Z Thoughts on an enormously turbulent year. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Looking to Teach Somewhere Not Scorching This Summer URL: https://www.philsimon.com/looking-to-teach-somewhere-not-scorching-this-summer/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:18:15.000Z ### Updates **March 9, 2018:** I have committed to teaching at ASU for the second half of the summer of 2018\. I’m interested in getting out of Phoenix for the summer of 2019, though. **April 9, 2019:** I have committed to teaching an online course at ASU for the second half of the summer of 2019\. I’m interested in getting out of Phoenix for the summer of 2020, though. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/ceiling-2.jpg) "It's not the heat it's the inhumanity." —Rush, "Ceiling Unlimited" More than six years ago, I moved to Las Vegas from New Jersey. As I explain in [this post](https://www.philsimon.com/why-i-moved-to-las-vegas/), the move made sense for a number of reasons. During my five years in Sin City, I penned four [books](https://www.philsimon.com/books) and worked as a full-time writer and public speaker. None of this would have been possible had I stayed in the Garden State. It was simply too expensive for me and I won't live under constant financial duress. > I've endured six straight summers of increasing heat. The most recent move to the Phoenix area has worked out well. I love my job as a [college professor](https://www.philsimon.com/professor-simon/)—so much so that I taught at ASU last summer. Doing so allowed me to kick the tires on *Analytics: The Agile Way* on a small group of ten students in my analytics class. Agile methods in action. ![](https://www.iconexperience.com/_img/o_collection_png/green_dark_grey/512x512/plain/tennis_racket.png) I've thought long and hard about what I'd like to do in the summer of 2018\. I would very much like to teach, but I'd prefer to escape the brutal Arizona summer. Going back to my Vegas days, I've endured six straight summers of increasing heat. I didn't even pick up my tennis racket for four months here. (How there are no indoor courts in the Phoenix area is beyond me, but I digress.) This leads me to the idea of reaching out to other colleges and universities. Good things came from [my post announcing my desire to teach full-time at a proper university](https://www.philsimon.com/looking-to-teach-as-a-visiting-professor-in-2016/), so why not try a similar approach here? ## Limitations and Preferences I'm doing this above board. That is, I've already checked with the folks at the W. P. Carey School and ASU. (Better to ask for permission than forgiveness.) Here's my list of limitations and preferences: - For-profit colleges and universities are off the table. - For obvious reasons, I don't want to teach in another stifling climate. - I'm open to teaching an online course (as I have done several times already at ASU), but the goal is to escape Phoenix in July and August. - Ideally, my summer gig would be in the northeastern US. (I would like to be close to family and friends for a few months.) - I don't expect to break the bank, but I don't want to lose money on this gambit. As I know from my travels, living in San Francisco, Boston, and New York isn't cheap. - It makes senses for me to teach an existing course—not develop a new one from scratch. - I'm open to teaching graduate and undergraduate students. If nothing materializes for whatever reason, I might just grab an Airbnb somewhere interesting. I could see spending a chunk of next summer in Seattle or Portland. I'll share this post on my social networks. Feel free to [shoot me a note](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) if you want to connect privately. ### How I Use Slack Inside of the Classroom URL: https://www.philsimon.com/use-slack-inside-classroom/ Last updated: 2025-06-29T00:57:23.000Z Adventures in the collaboration tool that has taken the world by storm. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Why I Wrote Analytics: The Agile Way URL: https://www.philsimon.com/why-i-wrote-analytics-the-agile-way/ Last updated: 2025-08-03T18:23:44.000Z **Updated:** November 25, 2018 --- I didn't plan on writing a new book so soon after accepting [a full-time professor job at ASU](https://www.philsimon.com/professor-simon/). I had plenty of other things on my plate at the time. For several reasons, though, I just couldn't resist. First and foremost, the book that previous professors had used for my analytics capstone class sucked. Specifically, it failed to adequately explain many of the concepts that I needed to cover. The quality of the writing made even simple concepts confusing to me, let alone the students. Most glaringly, the author didn't include a single useful case study. Not one. Tying theory to practice is a core tenet of [my teaching philosophy](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/philosophy/). Yeah, [most case studies ultimately fail](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/higher-education/why-most-business-case-studies-fail/), but this lack of real-world examples appalled me. ([Student evaluations](https://www.philsimon.com/academia/student-evaluations/) confirmed that the course's materials weren't exactly a hit.) Uber, Amazon, Netflix, Facebook, Google, Airbnb, and other companies have been using analytics to make better business decisions for years. This is not new terrain. No, they weren't making their algorithms available on Github, but it wouldn't take that much research to make the book compelling, especially for college students. With all due respect to the author of that previous text, I knew that I could do a much better job with [*Analytics: The Agile Way*](https://www.philsimon.com/books/analytics-the-agile-way/). Before replacing that book, however, I searched for an alternative. This brings my to my second motivation. ### "If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." #### —Toni Morrison As my friend and fellow author [Doug Laney](https://www.gartner.com/analyst/40872/Douglas-Laney?ref=philsimon.com) explains on the book's back cover, the idea of applying Agile software-development methods to analytics is nascent. [*Agile Analytics: A Value-Driven Approach to Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing*](https://amzn.to/2KuEdgT?ref=philsimon.com) looked promising but it didn't fit the contours of my analytics class. That is, there just didn't appear to be an legitimate alternative to the textbook. After a few hours of searching, I decided to take the next logical step: to obtain department permission. > Books are seeds that often grow into trees. Next, my department chair and boss assured me that I could use my new book in the class with one caveat: I would need to donate its proceeds to an ASU scholarship. This is standard policy and prevents the appearance of a conflict of interest. What's more, I get to do something good beyond disseminating knowledge. My ASU colleague [Matt McCarthy](https://isearch.asu.edu/profile/632217?ref=philsimon.com) has done this for a long time with his books. I had already improved many of the course lectures in my first semester. In other words, I had a good idea of what would work in a book [à la Chris Rock](https://petersims.com/2010/07/15/think-chrisrock/?ref=philsimon.com) in Peter Sims' book [*Little Bets*](https://amzn.to/2DUpb3B?ref=philsimon.com). Because of this, I had already developed a working structure of the book. Because of that, I wrote the 70,000-word manuscript in a mere 30 days. [Why Analytics Today Are More DemocraticIt’s no longer 1995.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/newlogo-2-79.png)Phil SimonPhil Simon![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1707157281599-d155d1da5b4c)](https://www.philsimon.com/why-analytics-today-are-more-democratic/) ![field of pink petaled flowers](https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1517648852444-859985b9fd9e?crop=entropy&cs=tinysrgb&fit=max&fm=jpg&ixid=M3wxMTc3M3wwfDF8c2VhcmNofDI3fHx0cmVlc3xlbnwwfHx8fDE3NTQyMjgwMzF8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=80&w=2000) Photo by [Ricardo Gomez Angel](https://unsplash.com/@rgaleriacom?ref=philsimon.com) / [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/?utm%5Fsource=ghost&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fcampaign=api-credit) ## Trees and Other Considerations Next, Wiley agreed to fast-track the production of the book. I doubt that I would have written so feverishly without the knowledge that I could use it in the summer of 2017. Finally, as I've said many times, books are seeds that often grow into hearty trees. The importance of analytics is only going to grow in the future. Why not get my thoughts out there and see what happens? No, there are no guarantees, but that same mind-set has served me well in the past. Case in point, this happened in November of 2018: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/okc-jpeg-1.jpg) Heatmap of Copies Sold | Source: Amazon ### The Future of DevOps URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-future-of-devops/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:19:58.000Z Thoughts on where it is going. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### DevOps Challenges URL: https://www.philsimon.com/devops-challenges/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:21:18.000Z Thoughts on what hinders organizations' efforts to redefine IT. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Case for DevOps URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-case-for-devops/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:20:50.000Z A look at an increasingly common way of "doing IT." _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Enterprise IT Trends for 2018 URL: https://www.philsimon.com/enterprise-trends-2018/ Last updated: 2025-08-26T20:54:37.000Z Some early thoughts on what to expect next year. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### What to Learn? URL: https://www.philsimon.com/what-to-learn/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:21:58.000Z Thoughts on the next set of hot skills. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Case for Lifelong Learning URL: https://www.philsimon.com/case-lifelong-learning/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:22:53.000Z Thoughts on whether your education will ever really end. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Publication of Analytics: The Agile Way URL: https://www.philsimon.com/publication-of-analytics-the-agile-way/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:22:27.000Z I'm pleased to announce that *Analytics: The Agile Way* is now shipping. This book came together quickly for several reasons. First, I really wanted to use it in my CIS450 Enterprise Analytics class at ASU this summer. I wrote at a pace that would make my friend—and fellow Rush nut—[Kevin J. Anderson](https://twitter.com/TheKJA?ref=philsimon.com) proud. Second, the folks at Wiley were extremely accommodating. My editor put out a date and kept his word. Over the years, I have come to appreciate many of the ways in which traditional publishers can help even established authors. Check it out on [Amazon](https://tinyurl.com/phil-agile-amzn?ref=philsimon.com). ### The Case for Data Lakes URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-case-for-data-lakes/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:23:35.000Z Data is more complicated than ever. One-stop shopping sounds pretty good. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Understanding Data Lakes URL: https://www.philsimon.com/understanding-data-lakes/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:23:42.000Z Thoughts on an increasingly popular way of storing information. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Speed of Analytics URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-speed-of-analytics/ Last updated: 2025-08-03T14:22:09.000Z Thoughts on how long it takes to turn raw data into insights. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Excerpt From Analytics: The Agile Way URL: https://www.philsimon.com/book-excerpt-from-analytics-the-agile-way/ Last updated: 2025-08-03T14:16:36.000Z Read the Preface and Introduction from my new book. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Expectations for Analytics: The Agile Way URL: https://www.philsimon.com/expectations-analytics-agile-way/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:24:39.000Z Thoughts on the new book. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Analytics: The Agile Way Media Copies URL: https://www.philsimon.com/analytics-agile-way-media-copies/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:24:20.000Z Yeah, I'm a media whore. I'll be giving out a limited number of media copies of *Analytics: The Agile Way*. If you are interested and write for a *relevant* publication or blog that reaches a *respectable* number of people, click the button on the right and fill out the relevant form. [MEDIA COPY](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) ### Thoughts on Smarter Transportation URL: https://www.philsimon.com/thoughts-on-smarter-transportation/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:46:32.000Z The case for more intelligent infrastructure. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Update on Analytics: The Agile Way URL: https://www.philsimon.com/update-analytics-agile-way/ Last updated: 2025-07-05T18:22:20.000Z Good news on the new text. As I speak, the production folks at Wiley are creating the galley for my eighth book. I've procured a few endorsements already and more are forthcoming. My indexer is doing her part. Here are a few near-final pages from the 304-page book: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/twitter-2.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/update-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/2025/05/pandora-1.jpg) Click on the image to enlarge it. I'm excited that Wiley is publishing the book in late June—in time for me to use it in my summer Enterprise Analytics class at ASU. Pre-order it [here](https://tinyurl.com/phil-agile-amzn?ref=philsimon.com). ### Data and Analytics: Understanding the Human Element URL: https://www.philsimon.com/data-and-analytics-understanding-the-human-element/ Last updated: 2025-08-03T14:19:05.000Z Thoughts on the power of technology and the power of resistance. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### How Analytics Will Enable a Better, Smarter IoT URL: https://www.philsimon.com/how-analytics-will-enable-the-iot/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:41.000Z Get ready for far more intelligent devices. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### American Kingpin: An Interview With Nick Bilton URL: https://www.philsimon.com/american-kingpin-interview-nick-bilton/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:47:51.000Z I sit down with the Vanity Fair writer to talk about his new book. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Book Trailer for Analytics: The Agile Way URL: https://www.philsimon.com/book-trailer-for-analytics-the-agile-way/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:48:12.000Z Below you'll find the trailer for the new book. Props as usual to the amazing folks at [Birch Tree Video](https://birchtreevideo.com/?ref=philsimon.com). ### A Look at the Evolving Role of the CIO URL: https://www.philsimon.com/a-look-at-the-evolving-role-of-the-cio/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:51:40.000Z Thoughts on new challenges and opportunities. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Increasingly Digital Workplace URL: https://www.philsimon.com/increasingly-digital-workplace/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:52:06.000Z Observations on changes in the last ten years. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Analytics: The Agile Way Now Available on Amazon URL: https://www.philsimon.com/analytics-agile-way-now-available-amazon/ Last updated: 2025-07-04T22:22:28.000Z I'm pleased to announce that *Analytics: The Agile Way* is now up on Amazon. Click [here](https://tinyurl.com/phil-agile-amzn?ref=philsimon.com) to pre-order it. ### Why Analytics Today Are More Democratic URL: https://www.philsimon.com/why-analytics-today-are-more-democratic/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T20:36:41.000Z It's no longer 1995. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### The Relationship Between Infrastructure and Analytics URL: https://www.philsimon.com/the-relationship-between-infrastructure-and-analytics/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:52:40.000Z Think that the two are unrelated? Think again. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Looking for Analytics Case Studies for My Eighth Book URL: https://www.philsimon.com/looking-for-analytics-case-studies-for-my-eighth-book/ Last updated: 2025-07-02T16:53:10.000Z I've read more than my fair share of tech and business books over the years. It's safe to say that many if not most are at best prosaic and at worst redundant and simplistic. Their problems often stem from poor writing, oodles of jargon, little originality, questionable research, obvious generalities, and a paucity of actual informative examples. (For more on why most case studies suck, click [here](https://www.philsimon.com/blog/communication/why-most-business-case-studies-fail/).) > I’m actively searching for case studies for my next book. I like to think that I'm not the world's worst writer. Most accomplished scribes recognize that *how* you write matters as much as *what* you write. Put differently, even the world's most beautiful prose in the world cannot overcome weak examples and a faulty premise. To this end and as is my custom, I'm actively searching for case studies for my next book *Analytics: The Agile Way*. In other words, this is a call. [This Is a Call![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8f/b5/8fb5e321-49a6-4cf5-8a28-c6f6d5417e54/content/images/icon/favicon-3.ico)](https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify%3Atrack%3A2wO8aOvN1ogLy1N8XT1WJE&ref=philsimon.com) ## Types of Case Studies In general, I see case studies case studies falling into the following three buckets: the good, the bad, and the ugly. ### The Good If your organization uses [Agile](https://agilemethodology.org/?ref=philsimon.com) methods to glean insights from its data, then I'd love to talk. No, I don't need to know your organization's secret sauce, but the case study cannot be excessively vague. For instance, if the sum total of the example is "We use analytics and they rock!", then we're not a good fit. ### The Bad Let's say that your current or former organization or department has used analytics in "the old fashioned" way and has struggled. If you've begun to take steps to become more agile, then I'm interested in talking. ### The Ugly Let's say that your current or former organization spent boatload of money on a Waterfall analytics project and failed miserably. [Contact](https://www.philsimon.com/connect) me if you're interested. _Includes the latest 500 public posts. Use `/sitemap.xml` for the complete archive of public content._