Ask NCET: Custom Software Development and Professional Coaching

Have a business or technology question?  Send it to ask@NCET.org and if selected, NCET’s panel of business and technology experts will answer it in our new monthly column.

What factors should I consider when seeking custom software development?

You will most likely be deciding between hiring a freelancer, an in-house employee, or a company. It’s important to note that the cost of development varies wildly, and along with it, the quality of the product.

First, do you have the technical expertise to evaluate whether or not a candidate is proficient in a particular set of languages and frameworks? Do you know how to interview to discover if they have competency in the software architecture principles at play? If not, a consultant or knowledgable colleague may be needed to help you during this process. Another option is to hire a development company that ensures high-quality coding standards and procedures and that already has a proven team in place.

Next, what assurances do you have that you won’t be left with a half-finished project if a developer has a change in circumstances or loses passion for the project? If code isn’t thoroughly notated along the way, it may be extremely costly to have another developer or company pick up the pieces and continue on.

Finally, does a prospective developer or company demonstrate that they truly understand your business challenges? It’s vital that problems are well-defined and processes optimized before any custom software is added to the mix.

Entering into a custom software development project is exciting and can mean new successes for your business. But software is complex and expensive so take your time and enlist knowledgeable assistance to make an informed decision from the start.

Kevin Burnet

Kevin Brunet is Business Development Manager at Synap (www.synap.io), a Reno-based custom software development company helping medium sized business needing just ¼ to 2+ developers, and NCET’s VP of Audio Visual Services.

I hear a lot about coaches. What do they do, and why would I want one?

We hear the word “coach” being used more than ever, and there’s a lot of confusion about what a coach really does. The International Coach Federation (ICF), the global sanctioning body for certified coaches, defines coaching as “partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential.”

There are many different types of coaches – from health coaches to business coaches to dating and relationship coaches and many more. For this article, let’s focus on what a leadership development coach does.

A leadership development coach helps new and experienced leaders to reach their full potential. They concentrate on several key areas – emotional intelligence, communication, and motivation.

In each session, they dive into clients’ issues, challenges, successes and failures. They ask powerful questions that lead to increased self-awareness and discovery of their habits and beliefs that drive behaviors. The coach looks for ways to create meaningful, lasting change in order for clients to achieve their goals. There are action items designed to move them forward, and they’re held accountable for their commitments.

If you’re considering working with a coach – and I believe everyone should – then ask yourself some questions. What am I looking to achieve? Where do I need the most support? Am I willing to make changes in the areas that are most relevant in order to achieve what I say I want?

Kevin Ciccotti

Then do your research. Interview coaches and find the one that is the best fit for you. Coaching is the most powerful tool for personal development on the planet.

Kevin Ciccotti is a Certified Professional Coach and President of Human Factor Formula, Inc. (www.humanfactorformula.com). He has more than a decade of coaching experience and is NCET’s VP Biz Café.