The Amtower B2G Market Report

The Amtower B2G Market Report
Volume 3, #26, July 5, 2004

(Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.FederalDirect.net and if you like this, please pass this along to your colleagues. To unsubscribe, email me at amtower@erols.com). Past issues available at http://www.federaldirect.net/newsletterarchives.html)

In this issue…
1) Amtower Off-Center Observations
2) The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Thoughts on Software Upgrades
3) Events

AMTOWER OFF-CENTER OBSERVATIONS

Item: The Project on Government Oversight (POGO), as a result of the Darleen Druyun/Boeing scandal, looked into the issue of senior government officials retiring and going to work for contractors. The report issued by POGO cited over 220 former senior officials and former members of Congress going to work for the “largest defense contractors”. According to the Washington Post, the report states, “it is frequently difficult to determine where the government stops and the private sector begins.” This issue has been with us for a long time and the line becomes more blurred with the amount of outsourcing currently going on. Does something need to be done? Probably, and we can start by making government salaries more competitive. Are further measures necessary? Maybe something like restricting the ability of senior officials going to work with companies bidding on or managing contracts with their last agency of employment. But we all know members of Congress will exempt themselves from such oversight. There are no simple answers to this question, but it must be openly addressed. In an odd coincidence, Xybernaut (wearable computer manufacturer) announced an Army general joining its Board the same day the Post wrote its story.

Item: It was pointed out to me that Arthur Andersen was a Swiss company, and when Accenture (Arthur Andersen Consulting) broke away from the parent (fortuitous move!) they incorporated in Bermuda – they were never a US based company. I accept that, but would still put a dollar cap on the contracts it could bid on. It was also pointed out, correctly, that if we were going to restrict who could bid on contracts, that information should go into the contract, not be appended after the fact. I stand corrected, but undaunted. Companies that leave the US to avoid taxes (not Accenture) should be required to show extraordinary value when bidding to compensate for the their being offshore.

Item: In a brief follow-up to the Dunkin Donuts stories, McDonald’s is now accepting credit cards. Moral of the story: convenience.

Item: Some members of Congress were in attendance when the Rev Sun Yong Moon announced that he was the Messiah. They expressed surprise when they were told what he announced at this event. Given the host (no pun intended), what did they expect? Your Mother told you a long time ago you were known by the company you keep. And if you decide to sell or rent your soul, and the buyer makes a strange announcement while you are at his party, do you really expect us to believe that you are surprised?

Not that I have an opinion.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY: THOUGHTS ON SOFTWARE UPGRADES

Several years back, in conjunction with FOSE, there was an extraordinary promotion for the launch of WordPerfect 6.0. For those of you who were in the market back then, and lucky enough to be invited, WordPerfect took over the National Theater for the launch, and presented a symphony, “Innovations” it had commissioned for the promotion. It was of a multi-city tour, with a traveling orchestra and choir. It was a great evening, with superb music, food, and overall, the most impressive product upgrade promotion I have ever seen, and it was in support of a very good product.

In a recent column, and on CNN, Walter Mossberg was reviewing the latest offerings in the Office suite category. I do not recall the name (I also saw it mentioned at the Business Week web site), but there is an upstart that he likes, which compare well with both the WordPerfect office and Microsoft Office. He liked the WordPerfect and seemed less than totally impressed with Microsoft.

While having breakfast with a friend this past week, my friend lamented that software upgrades are not what they should or could be. His fantasy is a Microsoft office upgrade with no new features, but components that all work properly.

Microsoft has effectively replaced performance with promotion. Very few of the people I speak with regard Microsoft as a great product company. Most marketers I speak with agree that Microsoft is strong on marketing, and especially strong at deflecting criticism from obvious weaknesses and flaws. If Microsoft would consider an Office upgrade with no new bells and whistles, but with all the flaws fixed, it might be surprised at the reaction, and it would merit a symphony.

EVENTS

TAKING ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE TO THE NEXT LEVEL: Implementing EA to Effect Organizational Change, July 13-14, 2004 EA Boot Camp July 12, 2004 www.digitalgovernment.com

FEDERAL CHANNELS: Selling and Marketing to the Government
Date: July 19, 2004 Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Location: Fairview Park Marriott, Falls Church, VA

The Federal Marketplace has undergone significant change in the past few years. Federal Channels 2004 will feature sessions on the most recent changes to the federal business environment and the best methods for using those changes to your advantage. This is a really good informational and networking event, with something for people of any skill level, novices and professionals alike. The FBC staff spends lots of time putting together a good program, and they always have great presenters. See full details at http://www.fbcinc.com/federalchannels/default.asp

ITS GOV: Technology Buying at Year End, August 25, Ronald Reagan Building
www.itsgov.com

Third Annual B2G CATALOG SUMMIT, Doubletree O’Hare (Chicago), November 11, 2004

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As always, your comments, questions and suggestions are welcome.

Thanks
Mark Amtower


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