Unfolding plans 22 – It might be time for a rethink

It might be time for a rethink about our Strategic ICT Group.  It has met every other month or so for a few years and the agenda has changed to accommodate the new things that we have done but basically the format has remained the same: an update on projects; agree new projects; discussion on … Continue reading Unfolding plans 22 – It might be time for a rethink

Unfolding plans 21 – I’m not one for using sporting analogies

So Andy Murray was the runner up at the Australian open.  It was a shame.  He’d been playing as well as he had ever been but he was up against a formidable opponent.  Number six in the world was playing number one.  It was sublime tennis.  The match ebbed and flowed with each player gaining … Continue reading Unfolding plans 21 – I’m not one for using sporting analogies

Unfolding plans 20 – coming back to apprentices

I said I would come back to apprentices.  I’ll keep coming back to them throughout the year as they are important in so many ways. They are also the seventh thing I want to achieve this year. According to the North-East Chamber of Commerce the region faces a "ticking time bomb" due to a lack … Continue reading Unfolding plans 20 – coming back to apprentices

Unfolding plans 19 – the value tree

I was intrigued.  The invite said that during the meeting we ‘will capture these (Mission Statement, objectives and priorities) in a “Value Tree” which is a graphical way of presenting the key objectives that requires them to be ranked in order of importance. The Value Tree can then be used at future “Gateways” to check … Continue reading Unfolding plans 19 – the value tree

Unfolding plans 18 – All purchases needed to be approved by Neil

My Christmas gift was a very generous book token.  It came with a caveat however.  All purchases needed to be approved by Neil, one of my team. The note said that to avoid disappointment it is unlikely that he would approve any non-fictional text in the area of management.  The message was clear.  I needed … Continue reading Unfolding plans 18 – All purchases needed to be approved by Neil

Unfolding plans 17 – Who remembers the future?

Who remembers the future?  We were going to be living in the sky, with hover cars to get us about and robots to do our bidding.  We were going to wear futuristic clothes, usually in silver and have pills instead of meals.  Do you remember that happening? In the movie ‘Back to the future’ 2015 … Continue reading Unfolding plans 17 – Who remembers the future?

Unfolding plans 14 – We need more women working in ICT

We need more women working in ICT.  It is a male dominated industry and at times can lean towards misogyny.  I did not put them in any order but this the first thing on my list of things to achieve this year.  Actually this is not a gender issue though it certainly manifests itself this … Continue reading Unfolding plans 14 – We need more women working in ICT

Unfolding plans 13 – I’m railing against the machine

I’m ranting again.  I’m railing against the machine.  I’m banging on and on about those issues that keep tripping us up, the rocks in the stream that disrupt our flow, the sand in our shoe which causes us to limp and the pea under the mattress that gives us a restless night’s sleep. We had … Continue reading Unfolding plans 13 – I’m railing against the machine

Unfolding plans 12 – are we a bureaucratic nation?

Sugata Mitra is a very interesting man.  Get to see him if you can.  I’ve mentioned him several times both around his school in the cloud work and also the development of self-learning environments.  That reminds me that I must do something about my wish to create a self-learning work environment (number eight on my … Continue reading Unfolding plans 12 – are we a bureaucratic nation?

Unfolding plans 11 – In the future all business will rely upon technology.

It was an interesting meeting with Durham BID.  Their offices are in the centre of Durham, just next to Greggs in case you are wondering.  BID stands for business improvement district and they have the role of trying to improve the lot of the businesses, all four hundred and sixty of them, within what is … Continue reading Unfolding plans 11 – In the future all business will rely upon technology.