Unfolding plans 113 – happy workation

Wow, that was some workation.  For the month of July I’ve been trying something different.  While I was out and about I stopped and bought a postcard that showed the beautiful or unusual places that I happened to have visited.  Every work day I sent one to my youngest daughter as she was in the … Continue reading Unfolding plans 113 – happy workation

Unfolding plans 103 – Gillian Lynne

I’ve been using this story recently, especially in relation to the skills audit.  We haven’t had too much success with getting this off the ground for one reason or another but I am reminded about the story of Gillian Lynne.  I don’t remember when I came across it but it popped up again in ‘Talk … Continue reading Unfolding plans 103 – Gillian Lynne

Unfolding plans 102 – Why do you want to talk like Ted?

I've come to enjoy presentations. You and I know that I do enough of them. Lately it seems to have been the main topic of my conversations, which is apt. I’ve been trying hard to improve my technique and practiced much harder than I used to.  I’m trying to hold conversations rather than stick to … Continue reading Unfolding plans 102 – Why do you want to talk like Ted?

Unfolding plans 99 – I was even trending

This is part two of the presentation I made at the conference on ‘Transforming The Way We Work: A Vision for Mobile Public Sector.’  It is an abridged version.  OK, it is cheating a bit but I’m not the only blogger to have ever recycled his or her own material.  After all I did spend … Continue reading Unfolding plans 99 – I was even trending

Unfolding plans 96 – Phil Jackman Author

I am an author.  I am a writer.  I have written a book and it has been published.  I doubt it is the best book ever to have been written and I don’t expect it to be in the best sellers list but that is not the point.  It is published and a small number … Continue reading Unfolding plans 96 – Phil Jackman Author

Unfolding plans 95 – Spennymoor in the millennium

This postcard challenge is going to be harder than I thought.  By day two I was close to throwing in the towel but my never say die attitude pulled it off in the end.  It seems that postcards are only sold in tourist type destinations and are not ubiquitous.  Why didn’t I think of that?  … Continue reading Unfolding plans 95 – Spennymoor in the millennium

Unfolding plans 94 – exciting times in the North East

London is a hot place when the sun shines.  On Wednesday it got well over thirty degrees.  I think I was the only one in the capital to be wearing a jacket and tie but standards have to be kept.  I had caught the train down (yes not up) to present at a conference on … Continue reading Unfolding plans 94 – exciting times in the North East

Unfolding plans 82 – live satellite feed

A year or so ago the North East ICT Managers group put on a very successful security event.  It really changed the relationship that we had with central government over the Public Service Network in a good way.  This year we’ve done something similar under the banner of ‘Enabling safe business’.  I would normally chair … Continue reading Unfolding plans 82 – live satellite feed

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 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?