Community Building in the Washington, DC area!!

SFP Editor: How did you become a writer for Business Analyst Times? Jonathan Malkin: It all started at the International Institute for Business Analysis (IIBA). I met DC chapter president Marcos Ferrer who writes a monthly column for the BA Times. He copied his editor Ollan Delany at the BA times. It just so happened there was an available slot for a monthly columnist. I sent over a writing sample and voila became a contributing editor for the BA Times. I highly recommend getting involved in the professional association for your profession, making friends, and learning about other avenues available to you. Writing and speaking opportunities are fun and great career moves.

Jonathan Malkin is a Business Analyst at Plateau Systems. Jonathan provides configuration, integration, documentation, and deployment support services for a leader in Talent Management Systems. Jonathan’s areas of support include 21 CFR Part 11 Validation and customizations to COTS software for which he has won multiple awards. His experience includes work in the federal government, telecommunications, mortgage and banking, and custom software development industries. Plateau Systems is a leading global provider of adaptable, unified web-based talent management software, content and services to onboard, develop, manage and reward talent.

SFP Editor: What are your goals for the monthly column?

Jonathan Malkin: My monthly column has two goals: a) Establish expertise in Business Analysis and Software Development. b) Gain more exposure in the business community.

SFP Editor: What is your take on the current financial markets crisis?

Jonathan Malkin: I worked in the mortgage business for four years. The crisis was entirely predictable and was voiced by many experts. A combination of factors including the irrational belief home prices would always increase; changing mortgages from assets held by banks to "mortgage backed securities" traded on Wall Street, vast underestimation of the risk associated with stated or no-income loans and other types of mortgage products, and a lack of oversight and regulation by government authorities. Every lender wanted to be Countrywide – one of the first lenders to go under and be acquired for pennies.

SFP Editor: What can businesses do to weather the storm?

Jonathan Malkin: Focus on sales with a solid service delivery mentality. The sales cycle will increase as companies practice more due diligence and government agencies look forward to the next administration for funding priorities. The opportunity for singing new clients will decrease as organizations cut costs and reduce risk by only investing in projects with existing business partners.

SFP Editor: How did you become interested in business analysis?

Jonathan Malkin: Business analysis is my passion. It's what I was born to do! Back in 1997 I had my first professional internship at a software company. Mentors identified and fostered my analysis skills. Years later I find myself doing this exact type of work and loving it. I am very grateful for all the help and support of mentors along the way and for the opportunity to express my talents at my current employer.

SFP Editor: What do you find challenging about writing the column?

Jonathan Malkin: Writing the column helps me crystallize ideas about my work. Now I mentally review all my work for “lessons-learned” and how others could benefit from my experience. This process will greatly assist in improving my skills and in improving the process of people and companies around me.

SFP Editor: What business topic fascinates you the most and why?

Jonathan Malkin: Software Testing is a key area for me. My latest column discusses how software testing reduces the Cost of Change in software maintenance. Businesses must adapt quickly to changing market conditions. The systems (people and technology) either assist in those transitions or restrict those transitions. Software Testing reduces the cost of change for software systems allowing the business to focus on the more important factors of marketplace, people, and process.

SFP Editor: In a city so focused on politics, what impact does DC have on the business industry?

Jonathan Malkin: Politics and law can be very different animals. In business I have been more interested in law than politics. Law creates conditions that give rise to markets and creates a level playing field for businesses to compete. Entire industries such as the solar panel industry rose and fell on tax incentives. The mortgage industry taught me if your business isn’t willing to offer a certain type of loan your competition will; even if it’s bad for consumers. Regulation is necessary for ensuring the public is served and business operates within a “healthy” context. Companies must work with agencies to define new laws or update old laws. This is especially critical in the technology sectors where regulations concerning taxes on internet commerce and privacy must be revisited with each new technology.

SFP Editor: What brought you to DC?

Jonathan Malkin: I was raised in Lorton, VA; a suburb of Washington DC and have spent most of my life in the area.

SFP Editor: How do you keep up on finances and business topics? Got any favorite experts? Jonathan Malkin: Just subscribed to the Washington Business Journal. I keep close track of my finances using MS Money and look up wealth experts like Robert Kiyosaki from time to time.