We’ve been trying to use stories at work to set the tone, to highlight the positive things that we achieve and to encourage cooperation and integration across the various teams. It’s early days yet and we’ve only tried it a few time but already we’ve found that using positive stories creates a much more upbeat … Continue reading Stories born from adversity
Beanz meanz quality
When I think about quality the things that come into my head aren’t Rolex watches or Hermes scarves or shiny red Ferrari cars. No, the thing that comes into my head is a humble tin of Heinz Baked Beans. I see the tin with its bluish green label and the black crest proudly saying what … Continue reading Beanz meanz quality
Communication is a what?
I’ve often heard the phrase that communication is a two way street. Well it isn’t, that’s a bad analogy. In a two way street the traffic goes one way up one side of the road and down in the opposite direction on the other. Up and down only. Unless there is an obstruction in the … Continue reading Communication is a what?
Blowing my own trumpet
I find it really hard to blow my own trumpet. I fill my lungs and purse my lips and blow but it doesn’t matter how hard I try, I find it hard to make a note. I can get a rich tone from a Boosey and Hawkes B flat clarinet and I can play a … Continue reading Blowing my own trumpet
Management speak
I’ve been trying to learn a foreign language for as long as I care to admit. I wish that I had tried harder at school because the older I get the more difficult it becomes. I’ve got by in French, dabbled a bit in Italian, German, Swedish, Icelandic and Portuguese. I have even managed to … Continue reading Management speak
I’ve heard it
Such is the power of stories that people can believe things which aren’t true only because they have heard them said. After all, there is no smoke without fire and if that is the word on the street then who are they to argue? Our work places are full of them, myths and legends, truths, … Continue reading I’ve heard it
Funployability
Funployability had to be the word of the day. The whole management team had been brought together for a morning of development lead by Darran and Pete, the irrepressible lads from ON-Brand Partners. They had split the group into four and asked each of us to look at a set of questions to get us … Continue reading Funployability
In praise of planning
I had the privilege of listening to John Seddon present in Durham last week. He is the managing director of Vanguard and an advocate of using an approach to transforming businesses and the public sector using principles akin to the Toyota manufacturing process. I have seen him present several times and have always found him … Continue reading In praise of planning
Lunch time
I was once telling to a friend of mine how I had great difficult y in explaining to colleagues about some issues that I was having to deal with and how they could be affected. I was finding it hard to get my point across and speak to them in a way that meant something … Continue reading Lunch time
First, second and third line
It is a very common approach to have service provision to customers split into layers, or lines. The first line is the one that greets the customer and gathers information about them and their requirements. This is where the customer gains their first impression of the business and usually covers their high level and easy … Continue reading First, second and third line
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 