Mature workers are more passionate about work
Still have the passion? For me getting the job done right has always been an obsession. I keep waiting for that feeling to fade and it just hasn’t. Now I know that it is true also for many others who like me are still working over the age of 55. I recently ran across this formal study from a couple of years ago that shows that across the board it’s fairly startling to us that the stereotype we normally attribute to youth – energetic, passionate, inspired – actually fits better with today’s older workers…>>
Here is what the study says about mature workers (55+ years of age.)
” By far the most satisfied and engaged segment of the workforce. Mature workers identify with their organizations and share similar values. They are inspired and passionate about their work. Mature workers want to work, but on their terms and not in place-holder jobs.”
Do you still get a big kick out of what you do? Do you still feel a strong passion to succeed?
Stick with PeopleSoft!?
Today I read yet another article wondering whether Oracle’s Fusion Applications are way behind or right on track>>. A while back there were some serious hints that Oracle would release Fusion Applications sometime in 2008. Soon after, anticipation of a general release shifted subtlety from 2008 to sometime in the 2009.
Now 2010 as a release date is being bantered about>>.
”Oracle may not deliver the first suite of its long-awaited Fusion Applications until 2010, according to Steve Miranda, senior vice president of Fusion application development.”
Is it the right and prudent choice to stick with native PeopleSoft applications for the foreseeable future? I think it is — especially so if you have invested many years in building your expertise.
Workers over 50 KNOW what they do well
As a person who is over 50 I can honestly say that being over 50 can be a real blast. We know who we are. We harbor fewer illusions than we did when we were 20 or even 30. We are not going to make the PGA tour nor will most of us be taking a trip to the moon anytime soon. What we do know though, unlike many younger workers, is what we do well. There is no doubt that by 50 most of us know what talents we possess and how those talents can be best used to add significant value to clients, customers, and employers. The question is: how can we convince others?
A recent article in CIO gives some job search tips for workers over 50>> that make basic sense. One such tip is keeping your talents sharp and up to date.
“Get tech-savvy. If you haven’t familiarized yourself with text messaging, instant messaging, social networking or other Web 2.0 technologies, now is the time…”
Another piece of advice emphasizes the importance of being your personal best. It is your best defense against age bias . Feel good. Look good. Be professional.
“Curb age bias. You can address some of the common, unspoken predispositions that hiring managers may have about senior candidates…
Now for something completely new
The stated goal of the Oracle Fusion Application effort was to combine the best>> that Siebel, JD Edwards, PeopleSoft, and Oracle had to offer into one product line that would meet the needs of customers.
“Oracle Fusion Applications are the single applications product line that will combine and enhance the best functionality from all Oracle Applications product lines…Best of the best—Leverage the best features and functionality from Oracle E Business Suite, PeopleSoft, Siebel, and JD Edwards…”
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS—Oracle Applications Strategy
One observer who has been thinking about Oracle Fusion Applications>> has voiced another theory. He believes that Oracle is now aiming Fusion Apps at a much higher goal, saving the company’s future. Existing customers are necessary but not necessarily sufficient. The life blood of Oracle is new customers and to get new customers you need a compelling product.
The fusion applications were originally intended to reduce the costs and complexities of supporting about 37,000 enterprise customers by integrating the lessons learnt from Oracle’s own enterprise suite, PeopleSoft, Siebel, and the J.D. Edwards stuff into one consistent package. Now, however, I think they’re intended to save the company – because it’s simply not going to be possible to sell most of the database, management, and BI products once forthcoming MySQL and Postgres benchmarks running on cheap Solaris/SPARC gear have been transformed, through a year or two of actual customer use, into industry standard expectations.