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 48 – I like driving the electric cars

Taking the electric car is an experience in itself.  We have a few of them around the organisation ready to be borrowed providing you have passed the special test.  They range from the upmarket Leaf which tends to reside at County Hall to the car that I took today from Meadowfield. We’re in the middle … Continue reading Unfolding plans 48 – I like driving the electric cars

Unfolding plans 47 – no one really comes into work to do a bad job

There are a couple of beliefs that I have which I hope to be true. The first is that no one really comes into work to do a bad job.  The second is that if the place where you work no longer wants you around then why would you want to work there? I’ve worked … Continue reading Unfolding plans 47 – no one really comes into work to do a bad job

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?

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