Forthcoming Books
To date, Dr. Shemwell has published nine (9) books. He continues to develop thought leadership in contemporary business settings. This page provides a brief abstract or synopsis of book works underway.
We are soliciting input to these works to capture the sum total knowledge in these fields. If you have some ideas, please feel free to contact us. Finally, if you would like to be kept abreast of these writings and the publication dates, please let us know as well.
Navigating the Data Minefields: Management's Guide to Better Decision-Making
We are living in an era of data and software exponential growth. A substantive flood hitting us everyday. Geek heaven! But what if information technology is not your cup of tea and you may even have your kids help with your smart devices? This may not be a problem at home; however, what if you job depends on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
The author has been involved with most major IT revolutions for over 55 years. While, he has not seen it all, but he has seen a lot. Historically, many mangers and senior executives did not need to have a strong knowledge of IT. The Chief Information Officer (CIO) and her/his staff took care of things. Knowing how to use e-mail, text, ERP system input and reporting, and a spreadsheet have often been enough and did add value to operations.
This is not longer the case. Emerging technologies are changing the very nature of the business as significant organizational cultural transformations are underway.
The Data being captured, stored and analyzed today is truly enormous, hence the name Big Data. Tools such as AI ‘learn’ from these dynamic data stores and are able to perform amazing almost human like tasks.
If the need to understand these technologies is not on a manager’s radar but he/she is being asked to depend on them to do the job in radically different ways how can she/he know what to do in this regard?
This book is key to understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these technologies, how know enough to approve spend when you are asked to by technologist as well as developing an understanding of the risk and the economic value to be derived.
The volume will be published by CRC Press in early 2025. This will be a substantial volume with approximately 49 illustrations.
Managing Big Data and AI
This book is a reference providing management at all levels with the tools they need to ask the right questions as well as assure themselves that the decision to acquire, implement, and sustain these technologies is best for the organization. We cover in detail the following subjects that are supported by numerous case studies. Statements made and supported and additional material outside the discussions are provided in detail.
- How to determine the quality of the data and its relevance to the decision-making processes.
- Current Challenges and Trends in Big Data and associated applications.
- Proposed organization structure such as High Reliability Organization and an understanding of Human Factors to fully realize the full and measurable economic value from these technologies.
- A full set of Risk Mitigation and a Governance model including Disaster Recovery and Cyber Security.
- How these technologies are used in Operations, a proposed Management System as well as numerous Case Studies across a number of industries and types of problems.
This is perhaps the most comprehensive volume on these rapidly emerging technologies for managers without a technology background. It this sense, it is groundbreaking.
Techniques for Successfully Closing Deals in the 21st Century
As shown in the Sales Expertise section, Dr. Shemwell has been actively involved in B2B technology sales for several decades.
As my experience and expertise grew I started documented my knowledge in a series of articles, beginning with my 1997 article, Selling to the executive suite. This was followed by a multitude of articles.
Recently, it seemed that it was time to pull all of this together into a single work that defines the B2B process as well as providing a Roadmap for successful ‘deal’ closing.
This was partly driven by what we saw as sales solutions by a number of pundits, consultants and sales solution providers. Many of which are re-packaged older and not particularly successful models.
The selling process, aka revenue generation has historically been seen from the lens of so-called ‘cowboy’ lone wolf sales representatives. Even in the old days, nothing could be further from the truth. A large organizational sale requires the coordination of both customer requirements as well as the needs of the selling company departments.
Moreover, an economic value proposition must be put forth that addresses and convinces the buyer of that the problem is property handled. Beginning in 2004 we started developing our Economic Value Proposition Matrix that specifically allows the seller and by extension to confirm the bottom line value from the sale.
To this end we published a blog, Resolve 2022: Close More Deals! that is essentially the abstract of this forthcoming book. We believe this Roadmap will be the definitive actionable guide to successful selling in the era of ‘Smart.’
Sales Expertise
One of the advantages of age, is the opportunity to participate in a number of business and technical cycles. Since 1970, I have participated in the entire post-IBM mainframe era. The so-called Internet/IT Dog Years of technology has exploded and now we all talk about ‘Smart.’ Over this period, the following key sales metrics have been met.
- Acknowledged thought leader and author on Hi-Tech B2B at global scale
- Total direct sales of over $3 billion during career – extensive international experience
- Head of Software Business Unit w/P&L Responsibility
- As an International Sales Executive sold a single order in excess of $350 million (in today’s dollars) – hardware and software systems to global Japanese firm in Tokyo
- Responsible for revenue generation of over $500 million as sales manager for oilfield operations outsourcing
- Over $40 million in professional services in a single fiscal year
- Serial entrepreneur, exit (merge/sold) two start-up firms
Recently Published - Smart Manufacturing
Dr. Shemwell is a co-editor for our 2023 book titled, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.” My focus is on Operational Technologies.
The volume was published by CRC Press in 2023. This is a substantial volume with approximately 25 illustrations.
Fields Covered Include:
- Automation
- Energy Conversion and Conservation
- Optimization
- Process Integration
- Maximizing Utilization of Assets
- Quality Control and Management
- Resource Utilization and Conservation
- Supply Chain Integration
And much more!
Getting Smart
Since 1970, the author has been directly involved in the digitalization of Critical Infrastructure sector work processes. This includes guided missile systems, other aerospace, oil and gas operations, nuclear power generation, electrical grid and ‘smart’ medical devices among others.
This book pulls together the sum total of that career knowledge which includes the acquisition and sale of software firms as well as the merger of his technology start up with a publicly traded energy services corporation.