Day 11 – 16 January 2014 No! I’ve left the power cable for my laptop at EDC. When I got it out of my bag I thought I mustn’t leave it there but I did and so a quick unscheduled trip to Spennymoor was called for. Back at County Hall my first meeting (only 5 … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 11
A year of work in progress – day 10
Day 10 – 15 January 2014 Only our second full week in and already the natural rhythms of work are settling down. The cycle of work – wasn’t that an Elton John song? Wednesday is management day. Every so often I get a whim and rearrange our meetings to try and cover the important things … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 10
A year of work in progress – day 9
Day 9 – 14 January 2014 Wow, a very quiet day. Only three meetings, one in the morning, one at midday and one in the afternoon and the best bit was that my first was at Northumberland County Hall, less than a kilometre from home. Number 8 on my 10 things I’m going to do … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 9
A year of work in progress – day 8
Day 8 – 13 January 2014 Today started with an absurdity. I had to prove that I am who I am. I’ve worked here for over four years now but have had to bring in my driving licence and utility bill as part of the Baseline Personal Security Standard (BPSS) that we have to adhere … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 8
A year of work in progress – day 7
Day 7 – 10 January 2014 About a quarter of our business is traded, that is with customers outside of the Council. Gaining and losing customers is a natural part of the business cycle. As long as we gain more than we lose then we will be OK. I don’t like to lose any business … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 7
A year of work in progress – day 5
Day 5 –8 January 2014 Today was a management meeting today. The Project leaders met in the morning, that is the wider management team and the Senior Management Team met in the afternoon. I was asked to give an opening talk to set the scene for the year ahead. This is an abrdiged version, a … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 5
A year of work in progress – day 4
Day 4 –7 January 2014 One of the problems with living north of the Tyne and working south of it is the daily commute. On most days it’s not too bad. Apart from the normal stand still around the Metro Centre the 34 mile trip is usually a straight run. But at this time of … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 4
A year of work in progress – day 3
Day 3 – 6 January 2014 The first real day of work this year and probably the first real day of work for several weeks, perhaps even since mid-December. It’s also the first day I’ve worn aftershave this year but I’m not sure these facts are related, odd though since I’ve decided to grow (wear? … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 3
A year of work in progress – day 2
Day 2 – 3 January 2014 Boy was I tired. For the first time in ages it was the alarm that woke me. I’m not used to real work but I was back at Meadowfield this morning to help out in the stores once more. The schools come back on Monday and so we need … Continue reading A year of work in progress – day 2
Doing Lean
I’ve been fascinated by the concept of Lean ever since I read the book ‘The Machine that Changed the World’. Its description of the Toyota Production System and the dramatic effect that this had had upon automotive production was, and still is incredible. This must be at least fifteen years now and ever since I … Continue reading Doing Lean
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 