SAT Math and Logic

We don’t develop the technologies anymore, we connect technologies. We create interactive web technology systems complete with database management, troubleshooting, and 24/7 live customer service – via online chat or phone. Developing web systems is a very exciting field because of the exponential leverage they provide. On a daily basis people are beginning to move their entire mainframes on to the World Wide Web – to the extent that soon they may only need a screen, keyboard, mouse, and internet connection.

In the current frenzy of creating new server-side technology we are even beginning to see a loosened grip of Microsoft’s worldwide domination. There are too many people and too many outsourcing teams that are just as innovative as Microsoft has ever been and these people are all too eager to put their talents to work. Perhaps the greatest advantage of Web Systems is the ability to outsource every element of your current workload except that which you are absolutely the best in the world at doing.

Creating web systems isn’t as simple as it sounds (if it even sounds simple). There are 10 main processes in Web Systems Development:

1.) System Development
2.) Build the actual project
3.) Debugging
4.) Create content for the project
5.) Build FAQ/Tutorials
6.) Staffing
7.) Market the project
8.) Affiliate contracts
9.) Legal
10.) Accounting

Obviously there is a tremendous amount of expertise involved throughout each process. It is very tempting to manage the development process in a way that is very hands on. I can tell you from experience that sometimes it is just hard to let go of things that you have always done for yourself. Of course I could spend my time creating the HTML pages, embedding the PHP into the page to interact with the MySQL database that I spent even more time creating and normalizing. Then there is designing the logo and marketing materials, sending the designs to the printer, etc. etc. etc. Recently I read through The Advantage Of Real Estate. (AMAZING BOOK! And by the way – both authors, Patrick Riddle and Dusty Keefe, have free CDs at their websites – saves you 30 bucks each anyway.) On page 56 Dusty encapsulates, entirely, the philosophy of management:

“You are not a handyman. Don’t let a plunger touch your hands unless you desire to be paid like a plumber. Don’t swing a hammer unless you want to be paid like a construction worker. Don’t put your hands in the dirt unless you want to be paid like a gardener. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these professions; they just are not our path.” (!* See what I mean? Get the book – it’s absolutely amazing!)

Because there aren’t thousands of mathematicians working around the city, the profession in and of itself is niche marketed. Many of the projects I work on involve a tremendous amount of research and dedication to develop into workable systems. Plus the profession is always in high demand. Mathematics is incredibly relevant in every industry and the better you become at mathematics the more you will ultimately be paid. I am always being contacted for some sort of job here or there – whether it be private tutoring or creating a financial analysis model. I truly am a “gun for hire.” (-no bullets-) As a mathematician my greatest contribution to the community, by far, is to be the most versatile, effective mathematician that I can be. So rather than answering my phone all day and responding to email constantly, I implemented the same systems Timothy Ferriss talks about in The 4-Hour Workweek. (Trust me – get the book.) I spend most of my working day writing algorithms, learning about new technologies, and studying about web systems and I outsource the rest as much as I can.

Here is the best part about it though – my talents and abilities are not what allow me to work as I do. Whereas I currently write the algorithm and hire out the design work, I could just as easily do nothing but design the interface and hire out the algorithm. As long as I am a competent manager, creative, and disciplined I can get any project done (whether I am a mathematician or a designer) by leveraging the increase in my output-value against the cost of outsourcing.

Next time you find yourself letting a wrong number steal time away from doing that which you are the greatest of all time – just remember, “You are not a handyman.”

– Andrew Turner

www.thinkarchimedes.com