(Like the proof of the pudding is in the eating)

Deep down at the core of the telecommunications infrastructure layers is an inobtrusive functionality without which communication could not take place (any communication). This same functionality also determines to what extent an expert is really good in her field.

Communication

When we speak, we transmit waves called sound. Sound (speaking, radio, telephony) consists of both a ‘carrier signal’ which provides the energy for transmission and a ‘modulation’ or a superimposed wave which tells the receiver what exactly is said, sung or played. Physics can go into great depths of this phenomenon.

The word ‘modem’ comes from Modulator-Demodulator, equipment that translates digital information into analog (so that it can be transmitted) and back again. These days, most people are not aware of the function of the modem anymore. In the beginning of the information age, one would attach a computer to the modem and hear it send out the signals. By listening to the sound you could determine whether it was working or not.

Expertise

“If you can’t explain it to a six year old, you don’t understand it yourself” Albert Einstein already said. And that is exactly the kind of simplicity that is also needed in regular business. For that purpose we need to translate analog expert experience into actionable digital information.

• For a project we need to assess how likely it is that a leased line will be delivered in time by a telecoms provider. This delivery will drive when employees will be able to start using a functionality, so when they can be trained and when we can go live. The expert says something similar to:

“The telecom provider says that their normal delivery time is 4 months, but they will try for 3 months, this means that the chances are:

•             3 months                     50%
•             4 months                     70 %
•             5 months                     95%”

With a recruiter we are assessing the likelihood of attracting employees to a particular facility. The expert says something similar to:

“One way commuting distances depend upon salaries:

•             <$13/hr                      <20 minutes
•             <$15                           <25 minutes
•             <$18                           <30 minutes
•             >$18                           <45 minutes”

These kind of assessments are exactly the kind of information upper management needs, six-year old’s language. The reason for this is – again – simple: it is not dependent upon field of expertise so can easily be compared with risks in other areas, and it is quantified, allowing for a simple Impact times Chance calculation so that decisions can be supported by a decision document.

If you accept this, it becomes very easy to spot the real experts: by their capability to translate all that analog information of their field into a digital estimation and back. Or: can they (De-)Modulate?