Not everything is always sweetness and light. Is it ever? We had our ICT Customer Board meeting last week and had an interesting conversation about culture. Words and phrases such as Camp Tanfield or Camp Meadowfield were raised with the clear implication that we reside within our functions and that visibility of managers and team … Continue reading Unfolding plans 58 – Not everything is always sweetness and light
Unfolding plans 57 – Big Data. It is bigger than you think.
My first meeting as chair of the Society of ICT Managers (North East) went well enough. There wasn’t a spare seat in the house, we got through the agenda, we finished on time and lunch was nice. We tried something new this time which made a big difference. It was Graham’s idea to theme the … Continue reading Unfolding plans 57 – Big Data. It is bigger than you think.
Unfolding plans 54 – 23 and 1/2 hours
There is a really interesting yet frightening video on You Tube called 23 and 1/2 hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health? I’m not usually bothered about such things. I’m aware I don’t do enough exercise and eat too much of the ‘wrong’ things yet I’ve been that way … Continue reading Unfolding plans 54 – 23 and 1/2 hours
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 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
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 