I’ve already told you how I made my way over the hills and down into the dales on my way to Forest in Teesdale. The other place that I visited during April that I had never been to before was the National Savings and Investment building. For anyone who has ever been to Durham it … Continue reading Unfolding plans 64 – The purpose of my visit was not architectural
Unfolding plans 58 – Not everything is always sweetness and light
Not everything is always sweetness and light. Is it ever? We had our ICT Customer Board meeting last week and had an interesting conversation about culture. Words and phrases such as Camp Tanfield or Camp Meadowfield were raised with the clear implication that we reside within our functions and that visibility of managers and team … Continue reading Unfolding plans 58 – Not everything is always sweetness and light
Unfolding plans 57 – Big Data. It is bigger than you think.
My first meeting as chair of the Society of ICT Managers (North East) went well enough. There wasn’t a spare seat in the house, we got through the agenda, we finished on time and lunch was nice. We tried something new this time which made a big difference. It was Graham’s idea to theme the … Continue reading Unfolding plans 57 – Big Data. It is bigger than you think.
Unfolding plans 56 – leaders struggle the most with teams.
The most important piece of work that I am involved in at the moment is trying to organise the service so that it can survive. By this I don’t mean hang on by the skin of its teeth or slip into some catatonic state hoping for the better times to come. I have already described … Continue reading Unfolding plans 56 – leaders struggle the most with teams.
Unfolding plans 55 – change is a great agent for change
Change is a great agent for change. They say that necessity is the mother of all invention and it is much easier to introduce change during periods of turmoil. Austerity has helped in a strange way. The need to save money has allowed us to introduce many things that we could well have struggled with … Continue reading Unfolding plans 55 – change is a great agent for change
Unfolding plans 54 – 23 and 1/2 hours
There is a really interesting yet frightening video on You Tube called 23 and 1/2 hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health? I’m not usually bothered about such things. I’m aware I don’t do enough exercise and eat too much of the ‘wrong’ things yet I’ve been that way … Continue reading Unfolding plans 54 – 23 and 1/2 hours
Unfolding plans 53 – ICT is not just Microsoft office or computer games
ICT is not just Microsoft office or computer games. It pervades all of our lives. There is nothing that we do that doesn’t have technology behind it somewhere. There is a shortage of young people coming into the industry. We need to get out there and show young people how exciting ICT is. We need … Continue reading Unfolding plans 53 – ICT is not just Microsoft office or computer games
Unfolding Plans 51 – not the best time for a photo shoot
Perhaps this morning wasn’t the best of times for a photo shoot. By nine thirty when we had all gathered to have our pictures taken the moon had made its way across the sun. Our two greatest celestial bodies had combined to turn day back into night. I know that the eclipse, however partial, had … Continue reading Unfolding Plans 51 – not the best time for a photo shoot
Unfolding plans 50 – Stories are the best way to get information to stick
A funny thing happened to me on the way into the office. I was listening to the radio and an advert came on for a well-known broadcasting, media and content company. The gist was that they said that they were offering an excellent service to their customers as ninety per cent of their service calls … Continue reading Unfolding plans 50 – Stories are the best way to get information to stick
Unfolding plans 43 – these apparently intractable positions of standardisation and liberty
I find that in my line of work there is a continual tension between the need for control and the desire to enable. Part of me wants to standardise everything so that we have less technology that is easier to manage and support. The other part of me doesn’t want this at all. It wants … Continue reading Unfolding plans 43 – these apparently intractable positions of standardisation and liberty
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 