Unfolding plans 63 – I have to show you this

I was walking along floor two, on my way to a meeting with HR when someone barked my name.  Three times they shouted ‘Phil – Phil – Phil’.  At first I thought they were shouting for a dog but realised eventually they wanted to attract my attention.  There may be easier ways of getting hold … Continue reading Unfolding plans 63 – I have to show you this

Unfolding plans 61 – When I say remote, I mean remote

There are two places that I had never been.  One was inside the National Savings and Investment building in the centre of Durham City and the other was the top of Teesdale.  I’ve been to both now.  Do these count as one or two of the six new things I was going to do this … Continue reading Unfolding plans 61 – When I say remote, I mean remote

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 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 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 52 – you must come and talk to us about

I was stopped in the lift by one of my colleagues.  She said ‘you must come and talk to us about…’  At this point I braced myself ready for whatever problem was at the root of her statement.  I guess it’s a hazard of my profession in that most people stop me when something goes … Continue reading Unfolding plans 52 – you must come and talk to us about

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 49 – more women into ICT

Getting more women into ICT has been made a key objective of Dynamo.  Charlie has produced an excellent infographic which lays out our plans and objectives in an easy to understand and very saleable chart.  It is a wheel or a roundel, with the Executive team the Main Board and Work-stream Leaders in the middle … Continue reading Unfolding 49 – more women into ICT

Unfolding plans 46 – What is digital?

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?