Reading may have been a long way to go for a conference, especially when I was up and down in a day. Still, it gave me a chance to travel on the new Virgin East Coast and then to catch a train from Paddington. I also got to visit the Madejski Stadium although I didn’t … Continue reading Unfolding plans 40 – digital is a personal journey
Unfolding plans 39 – self-organising work environments
I’ve talked about Sugata Mitra’s School in the Cloud idea before. It’s more than an idea as it exists and has proven to deliver benefits. Following a visit to Newcastle University’s Culture Lab I met up with Dr James Stanfield to talk about how we could learn from this approach. I am interested in using … Continue reading Unfolding plans 39 – self-organising work environments
Unfolding plans 37 – structures get in the way
It is my belief that structures are needed yet that they get in the way of what we are trying to achieve. This is demonstrated by inter-team rivalry, competition and the apparent differing priorities and objectives discussed amongst us as a service. We have been successful in bringing the organisation through the last five years … Continue reading Unfolding plans 37 – structures get in the way
Unfolding plans 35 – If ever there was an oxymoron then this must be it.
I’m fed up with road works. If ever there was an oxymoron then this must be it. Road works means that they don’t. Every journey I make seems to be severed with multiple interventions by the highways people, local council and utility companies. Every road is dug up. My retinas are burnt with the reflected … Continue reading Unfolding plans 35 – If ever there was an oxymoron then this must be it.
Unfolding plans 29 – customers are our core business
Account management can be difficult to justify, especially in these straightened times. It is an overhead that we can ill afford. When we are being asked to watch every penny and cut out all waste, having a team of people who work with the customer, both internal and external, can be seen as a luxury. … Continue reading Unfolding plans 29 – customers are our core business
Unfolding plans 28 – tech in meetings
Some people get really hung up about tech in meetings. It grates on them that someone can be tapping away on their laptop, tablet or smartphone and give the impression that they are not paying attention. I’m not one of them. It doesn’t really bother me. It just seems to be the way things are … Continue reading Unfolding plans 28 – tech in meetings
Unfolding plans 26 – There are those that tell and those that ask
There are those that tell and those that ask, apparently. No human system is so binary yet most of us fall towards one end of the ask or tell continuum. We may prefer to ask but from time to time find the need to tell. We may feel that we ask when indeed we are … Continue reading Unfolding plans 26 – There are those that tell and those that ask
Unfolding plans 25 – Something has to give and the technology is going to help
I’ve noticed a subtle change. Services are coming to us asking for help. The drive to use technology is growing at pace. I don’t know if austerity has helped but it has certainly sharpened our focus. As the cuts have gone deeper and deeper there is an increasing realisation that we can’t do the same … Continue reading Unfolding plans 25 – Something has to give and the technology is going to help
Unfolding plans 22 – It might be time for a rethink
It might be time for a rethink about our Strategic ICT Group. It has met every other month or so for a few years and the agenda has changed to accommodate the new things that we have done but basically the format has remained the same: an update on projects; agree new projects; discussion on … Continue reading Unfolding plans 22 – It might be time for a rethink
Unfolding plans 21 – I’m not one for using sporting analogies
So Andy Murray was the runner up at the Australian open. It was a shame. He’d been playing as well as he had ever been but he was up against a formidable opponent. Number six in the world was playing number one. It was sublime tennis. The match ebbed and flowed with each player gaining … Continue reading Unfolding plans 21 – I’m not one for using sporting analogies
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 