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BookNotes : Mastering unpredictability aren't arbitrary. Each is focused on creating a result that
can be tested in the real world, allowing you to provide
your team members with meaningful feedback."
The Art of Slicing Work:
How to Navigate Using fictional situations, Skornoyakov demonstrates
Unpredictable Projects distinctions between two types of slicing, vertical and
horizontal. For example, preparing a meal for a dinner
By Anton Skornoyakov party can be sliced horizontally and vertically. It can be
March 1, 2024 sliced vertically into each completed dish, and it can be
sliced horizontally into each individual task that needs
Given his background as a math- to be done. A parent needing help with this meal might
ematician and physicist, Anton assign a ten-year-old child the horizontal task of peeling
Skornoyakov didn't seem destined potatoes for use in two separate dishes. Or, a neighbor
to write a book on navigating un- who is an excellent baker might volunteer to help, and
predictable projects. But he wasn't the cook, using vertical slicing, might ask the neighbor to
satisfied with his initial career choice, so he pivoted and bring tiramisu, knowing this friend needs no instructions
became an entrepreneur. to make the dessert.

He found that while the early years running a startup In unpredictable situations, staff can share knowledge
were challenging, he "eventually found ways to better or- and work together to slice huge projects into small, verti-
ganize my teams so we could ride the storm of unpredict- cal projects, each of which can be completed and evalu-
ability with less stress and more success." Now, he works ated within weeks. The author has found that this pro-
with organizations on "slicing" work so that they can im- cess is more nimble and efficient than one that divides a
prove their impact. project by customary horizontal tasks and passes it from
department to department until eventual completion.
According to Skornoyakov, slicing "is the ability to break There is much more to the concept than that, but it's easy
down your project into very small parts, or milestones, to see how this process could be applied to initiatives in
that you can deliver within a few weeks. These milestones the ever-changing payments industry.

DateBook

Upcoming

Industry
Shows:

Electronic Transactions Association Nacha
ETA Transact 2024 Smarter, Faster Payments 2024

Highlights: The ETA’s annual expo promises numerous ways to Highlights: Nacha prides itself on unparalleled payments ed-
accelerate your success in the payments biz. Rub elbows and shake ucation, a dynamic exhibit hall, and valuable networking opportu-
hands with decision-makers and get business done – all in one place, nities provided at its annual conference. The event is designed for
with one registration; be in the center of the action where the entire a diversity of organizations and individuals interested in driving
industry will be under one roof, making deals and bringing inno- innovation, delivering value through new solutions and services, and
vation to life; and hear what’s next for payments from powerhouse employing these offerings to meet their business needs and/or those
speakers who are challenging the status quo with fresh thinking. of their customers.
You can also experience an enhanced show floor, where conversa- For those new to Smarter Faster Payments, the conference is the
tions that start on stage can turn into business plans in one of the choice venue for new and seasoned payments professionals from fi-
many meeting pods and spaces. Meet with like-minded people and nancial institutions, solutions providers and corporates to come learn
manage your entire show experience from your smartphone using an and engage through educational sessions, exhibit hall and a variety
AI-smart personal assistant. of networking opportunities.
When: April 17 – 19, 2024 When: May 6 - 9, 2024
Where: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas Where: Miami Convention Center, Miami
Registration: https://transact2024.expotracker.net/home.aspx Registration: https://payments.nacha.org/register

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