Last week I attended my first Executive Leader’s Network in Reading. There is another one in September and while it’s a long way away it might be worth considering. I was asked to host or chair or lead a round-table discussion which turned out to be me standing up in front of twenty five or … Continue reading Unfolding plans 46 – What is digital?
Unfolding plans 45 – a day of meetings
Yesterday was a day of meetings. It was management Wednesday after all. I started at nine and finished at five with a few minutes in the middle for lunch. I know that’s not a particularly long day but keeping focussed for such a period is an achievement in itself. I was mentally exhausted by the … Continue reading Unfolding plans 45 – a day of meetings
Unfolding plans 44 – communication and coordination
It all boils down to communication. Fred Brooks in his excellent collection of essays entitled ‘The Mythical Man-Month’ said that the purpose of organization is to reduce the amount of communication and coordination necessary. Note he didn’t say the role of an organization, just organization. What a sweeping statement borne from logic. We organise to … Continue reading Unfolding plans 44 – communication and coordination
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
Unfolding plans 42 – we’ve got loads of data
Big data is like therapy, the answers are in there you just need help to get them out. You need to like back on the couch and regress. Blame your mother, your home town or the conditions you had to endure. Let it all out. The main issue with any open data project is not … Continue reading Unfolding plans 42 – we’ve got loads of data
Unfolding plans 41- trying to address a big issue within the ICT industry
Have you ever felt out of your depth? I have, many times. Indeed I quite pride myself in that my comfort zone is to be outside of my comfort zone. This morning I felt out of my depth though and not always in a comfortable way. I was chairing a group meeting what I hoped … Continue reading Unfolding plans 41- trying to address a big issue within the ICT industry
Unfolding plans 40 – digital is a personal journey
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 38 – I’m not supposed to be reading management theory
I’ve been reading Wallander again as I’m not supposed to be reading management theory. This time it is ‘The Troubled Man’, a heart-breaking tale of descent into despair and darkness that serves as a totem for what great crime writing can achieve, as the Irish Times put it. This must be the fourth or fifth … Continue reading Unfolding plans 38 – I’m not supposed to be reading management theory
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
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 