Unfolding plans 129 – I should have got the train

I should have got the train into Seaham.  It’s obvious once I’d thought about it.  I was sitting at Nose’s point working on the strategy (see Unfolding plans 124) when a train rumbled past on the line that hugs the coast.  It was a two carriage Northern Rail train on its way to Middlesbrough, I … Continue reading Unfolding plans 129 – I should have got the train

Unfolding plans 128 – what holds you back?

Whose unseen hand is it that rests on your shoulder and holds you back? I think it was in the Facebook offices that a sign was hung which asked 'what would you do if you weren't afraid?’ Underneath someone had written 'I would write on this wall'.  I like that. It appealed to my somewhat … Continue reading Unfolding plans 128 – what holds you back?

Unfolding plans 127 – change management

I’ve got myself a new gig.  Mike from Sogno said that I should get involved with the Change Management Institute and put me onto Craig who organises things locally.  We met up and he’s signed me up for one night only.  It is going to be on the fifth of October at a venue to … Continue reading Unfolding plans 127 – change management

Unfolding plans 124 – Head space

I’m racking my brains.  I’m trying to do some work on our ICT Strategy and I just can’t get my head around what needs to be done.  It’s not even one year old.  It’s the third ICT strategy that I have written since I came to Durham but we made a commitment to review it … Continue reading Unfolding plans 124 – Head space

Unfolding plans 123 – Solutionsim

The hand dryer said fifteen.  The numerals flashed in blue and counted down to zero while the hot blasts of air desiccated my hands.  I moved them up and down as instructed to make the drying process more effective.  There was a handy pictorial guide.  Why was there a counter?  Can I not work it … Continue reading Unfolding plans 123 – Solutionsim

Unfolding plans 122 – Writing a cheque

Yesterday I cashed a cheque.  It was for a very small amount, less than seven pounds.  The day before I happened to write a cheque.  This time it was for a larger amount.  It had a seven in it.  I’m letting you know about this because they are such rare events these days.  I can … Continue reading Unfolding plans 122 – Writing a cheque

Unfolding plans 121 – never knowingly undersold

Perhaps I undersell myself.  If not me then perhaps I have undersold the effect of some of the changes that we are making.  I have never knowingly been undersold, until now.  I say this because twice I have had to stop and think about some of the things that we are doing and the good, … Continue reading Unfolding plans 121 – never knowingly undersold

Unfolding plans 117 – paperless meeting

So there it was, our first Resources Management Team meeting without paper.  We’d all been issued with new tablet computers from a leading manufacturer (but not fruit related).  Actually we had only borrowed them as Bob was quick to remind me. We’d also been given some training on how to use our new devices along … Continue reading Unfolding plans 117 – paperless meeting

Unfolding plans 114- granularity

We used to play a game, my colleagues and I.  It was in a different place from where I am now and we were much younger then.  The nature of the game was to take a new piece of jargon and use it over and over again until it became part of the vernacular, until … Continue reading Unfolding plans 114- granularity

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