Inbox Zero vs. Inbox 1000: Debunking Productivity Myths in Solutions Consulting
Posted inBehind Solutions Consulting Online & Digital

Inbox Zero vs. Inbox 1000: Debunking Productivity Myths in Solutions Consulting

Inbox Zero or Inbox 1000? An empty mailbox says little about the quality of your work, especially when tomorrow’s customer demo still needs preparing. This article explores productivity myths in Solutions Consulting, from multitasking and instant replies to packed calendars, elaborate task managers and AI shortcuts. Drawing on research and ideas from Cal Newport and Simon Sinek, it examines what deserves our attention and where our systems can get in the way. Expect practical suggestions for protecting preparation time, managing customer commitments and setting realistic team priorities, with a little humour for anyone whose unread email count has become a conversation starter.
From Digital Chaos to an AI-Powered Document Archive: My Paperless-ngx Setup
Posted inOnline & Digital Smart Home

From Digital Chaos to an AI-Powered Document Archive: My Paperless-ngx Setup

Turn your digital document chaos into a smart, searchable archive. Discover how I installed Paperless-ngx on a Raspberry Pi, connected it to my Synology NAS, and used native AI features to automatically classify, tag, and organise documents. With Home Assistant-powered one-button scanning and automatic email imports, managing our family’s paperwork has become easier, more secure, and remarkably hands-off. A practical look at self-hosted document management, AI automation, and reclaiming time for things that actually matter.
A Perfect Home Office Setup for a Solutions Consultant
Posted inBehind Solutions Consulting Online & Digital

A Perfect Home Office Setup for a Solutions Consultant

For a Solutions Consultant, the home office is more than just a desk with a laptop. It is where discovery calls happen, live demos are delivered and customer relationships are built through a screen. The perfect home office setup for Solutions Consultants should support clear communication, reliable demos, professional video calls and long working days without getting in the way. In this article, I look at the parts that actually matter: screen space, audio, camera positioning, lighting, ergonomics and network reliability. The goal is not to build the most expensive setup possible. It is to create one that helps you focus on the customer instead of the technology around you.
Making My Scanner Actually Smart: From Touchscreen Menu Hell to One Button, AI and Email
Posted inOnline & Digital Smart Home

Making My Scanner Actually Smart: From Touchscreen Menu Hell to One Button, AI and Email

I turned a frustrating multi-step printer workflow into a one-button smart home automation. Using Home Assistant, HACS eSCL scanning, a smart plug, Zigbee buttons, SMTP and OpenAI, documents are scanned automatically, intelligently named and sent by email or saved to Paperless. This post shows how the setup works and why it saves so much time.
Out with the Old: A Fresh Coat of Paint for the Blog
Posted inGeneral Online & Digital

Out with the Old: A Fresh Coat of Paint for the Blog

Looking for inspiration to refresh your own blog — or just curious what a digital “spring clean” looks like? After switching to English content over the past two years, my blog just got its biggest makeover yet. I’ve revamped the entire layout with a modern, responsive WordPress theme, simplified categories, and a cleaner user interface. It’s not just a visual update — it’s a usability upgrade. The results are already showing: visitor numbers in 2025 have surged past last year’s total, and we’re only in August. This post takes you behind the scenes of the redesign, shares what’s driving the growth, and hints at what’s next. Curious how a few smart changes can reignite both motivation and readership? Click through to read the full story and maybe even spark your own refresh.
Taming the SaaS Sprawl: How IAM Can Rein in Shadow IT in 2025
Posted inOnline & Digital

Taming the SaaS Sprawl: How IAM Can Rein in Shadow IT in 2025

In 2025, SaaS sprawl and Shadow IT are creating critical blind spots for IT and security teams. This in-depth guide explores how modern Identity and Access Management (IAM), combined with SaaS Monitoring tools like those from LastPass, empowers organizations to regain visibility, enforce secure access, and support business agility. Learn how to move from reactive firefighting to strategic governance — and why visibility is the missing link in your cloud security strategy.
Automating Your Pool Pump in Home Assistant Based on Daily Temperature
Posted inOnline & Digital Smart Home

Automating Your Pool Pump in Home Assistant Based on Daily Temperature

Smart Pool Pump Automation with Home Assistant Based on Daily Temperature Learn how to automate your pool pump in Home Assistant using a simple rule: run it for one third of the daily maximum temperature (in hours). This guide walks you through creating dynamic template sensors and a Home Assistant automation that adjusts pump runtime based on weather conditions — saving energy and maintaining water quality. Ideal for smart home enthusiasts looking to optimize pool maintenance using Home Assistant, YAML templates, and weather-based logic.
Stay Hungry, Stay Curious, Stay Foolish – The Soul of Modern Solutions Consulting
Posted inBehind Solutions Consulting Online & Digital

Stay Hungry, Stay Curious, Stay Foolish – The Soul of Modern Solutions Consulting

Discover how Steve Jobs' iconic "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish" message directly applies to the world of Solutions Consulting and Technical PreSales. This thought-provoking blog explores how curiosity, bold thinking, and continuous learning drive impactful discovery, effective demos, and true customer connection. Ideal for PreSales professionals looking to sharpen their mindset and stand out in a competitive tech landscape. Keywords: Steve Jobs speech, stay hungry stay foolish, PreSales mindset, solutions consulting, technical PreSales, curiosity in sales, discovery techniques, sales engineering inspiration, tech sales blog, Steve Jobs for PreSales.
Mastering Criticism: A Career-Boosting Skill for Lifelong Learning
Posted inBehind Solutions Consulting Online & Digital

Mastering Criticism: A Career-Boosting Skill for Lifelong Learning

Mastering the art of receiving and using criticism is a vital career skill that fosters lifelong learning and professional growth. With over 20 years in solutions consulting and more than a decade of mentoring experience, this guide offers actionable strategies, neuroscience-backed insights, and real-world leadership lessons to help individuals and teams turn feedback into forward momentum.