Resources for Business Analysts

Hi Everyone -

Want to play a game with me?

My friend Luke Hohmann wrote a book called Innovation Games. These are games he plays with his customers to develop products and ideas for products.

I think it can work with a online community, but he is not so sure.

So to prove him wrong, I have started an online Innovation Game. And everyone who plays gets a special bonus described at the end of this message.

The Game

There are two different ways to play the game, because people like to work differently. One way to play is for people who like to work with their hands, the other is for people who like mind games. You may create an entry for either or both.

If you are a physical person and like to do things with your hands, try this version of the game.

The product box: Think of the ideal product that would help you most in your job as a Business Analyst. Take a plain white box up to 12 inch x 5 inch x 13 inch in size and create the packaging for your ideal product. Use some colored markers, crayons, pencils, stencils, stickers, colored paper, glue, pictures from magazines, or whatever you like to decorate the box showing the name of the manufacturer, product name, and main features. Include colorful characters or symbols to appeal to a professional market, target slogans, coupons or points to encourage repeat purchases, offers of free stuff, or ideas for other products the person can buy.

Look at a cereal box or other product packaging for ideas.

Photograph your box.

Write a post to the blog with your name and some text “selling” the rest of us on your product. What are the benefits of your product? Why would someone else want your product. Upload your pictures in that post. (Note you have to be registered on the blog and signed in to be able to write a post. The register button is on the right of this page, near the bottom of the sidebar.) Pictures should be 200 x 300 pixels or smaller. Make sure that the details of your product box can be seen in the pictures.

If you are having trouble writing the text, have someone interview you about your product while you record the conversation. You can write the text based on what you have in the recording.

If you are a mental person and like to work with your mind, try this version of the game.

Remembering the Future: Imagine that today is November 21, 2007. (Here in the United States, this is the day before the Thanksgiving holiday, a 4 day holiday that we spend with family and friends.)

You are sitting at your desk about to leave for home for the 4 day holiday. You lift your arms to stretch your tired back muscles, then pick up your cup to drink the last of your cappucino (or hot chocolate if you prefer). The weather has been cool, so the hot drink tastes very good. You are feeling very satisfied because your current project is going very well. You think back three weeks ago to October 31, 2007 when you were working really hard to write the requirements for this project. You think about what this new product has done that made your job so much easier.

Now write a description. What is this product that you like so much? What has it done to make your job easier? Draw pictures to go along with your text if that helps you to describe the product and what it has done for you.

Write a post to the blog with your name and product description, and upload any pictures in that post. (Note you have to be registered on the blog and signed in to be able to write a post. The register button is on the right of this page, near the bottom of the sidebar.) Pictures should be 200 x 300 pixels or smaller.

If you are having trouble writing the description, ask a friend to role play this scenario with you, and record the conversation. Then you can write the description from your recording.

Keep Playing

Once you have posted something, be sure to post comments on other people’s entries - what you like about them, or questions you have about a product. Keep the comments positive.

The game will continue until March 31, 2007 at midnight US Eastern time. I will lock the blog after that time, and no more entries will be accepted.

Bonus

• Each person who plays the game, by posting a sensible entry of a Product Box or Remembering the Future, gets a one hour one-on-one telephone (or Skype) consultation with Geri Schneider Winters, on a Business Analysis topic of your choosing. Note, I get to decide if something is nonsense. (If you make a serious effort to post something, then I am sure it will be fine.)

Have Fun!

• Be creative, futuristic, visionary.

• Or be practical, grounded, down-to-earth.

• Describe a product that suits your style, something you personally would really like.

• Above all, have fun with it!

Some of you may guess there is more to this game than meets the eye. After the game, I will post more information on some hidden aspects to the game. Until then, just enjoy participating in this on-line game.

Let the game begin!

Geri

Rules

• Note there are spam filters on this blog and all entries are moderated. All entries with profanities or “adult” pictures will be deleted and will not be considered for the game. All nonsense entries will be deleted and will not be considered for the game.
• Wyyzzk, Inc. is not responsible for any system, computer, network, blog, etc. problems that might prevent you from posting an entry. We suggest you post your entry well before the deadline to avoid problems. If you do not see your entry within 24 hours of posting it, please contact us: information @ wyyzzk . com
• Your entry must be your own work.
• You may not submit an entry that is an existing product.
• You may submit multiple entries, but one person gets one hour of consultation, no matter how many entries he or she makes.
• If a group of people want to make one entry together, then the group of people get a one hour consultation as a group.
• Entries remain the property of Wyyzzk, Inc.
• Bonuses will be distributed after April 1, 2007.