Archive
I love it when a plan comes together
“I love it when a plan comes together” Col Smith used to say at the end of each A-Team episode, almost as though it was a rare event when, having expended thousands of rounds of ammunition and several tons of explosives of the climax (without killing anyone) they had again triumphed. Read more…
the joys of travel
I have always loved those places where travellers gather to start or continue their journeys; stations, airports and the like. Part of the charm is in people watching and part in the buzz and general excitement that these places bring. Read more…
can cowboy stories teach us anything in 2013?
Last week I wrote one of my public holiday frivolous pieces based around the 1950s/60s TV cowboy series Gunsmoke, but the principle of those shows rang a few bells this week especially with me also watching re-runs of Star Wars episodes four and five, similar tales of good versus bad, but taken into the future and to another galaxy. Read more…
Holiday Humour as TCB has a Western Encounter
ThatConsultantBloke hadn’t done the Florida theme parks for some years so a day around one of the old favourites with the Berkshire Belle seemed like a good idea and they had been on a few rides and had a good lunch when, with feet tiring, they found themselves by the Wild West Show. It was not one of their favourites, but the queue was short and the chance to sit down for half an hour appealed so they went on in. Read more…
musings on the pace of change
I’m writing this at almost 11,000 metres above the Atlantic ( 36,000 feet for those of us who are still partially in Imperial mode), my iPod is pumping 60’s Motown into my ears and I’m comfortable in my window seat. I have a drink and my laptop and have nothing much else to do so writing this week’s missive seems a good idea, but what to write about? Well the fact that I’m doing all of the above is still a source of wonder. Read more…
business cycles are a just a natural progression
I wrote some lines a few weeks ago about the classic business cycle whereby today’s fad is tomorrow’s derided practice and next year’s next big thing, albeit that in the latter case it will be re-branded to make it new and exciting even if it is pretty much exactly what we used to do. What goes around comes around as my American friends say. Having been asked the same question again last week gives me chance to expand on this a little. Read more…
could FMs become sought after by other functions?
I’ve been thinking a bit about transportable skills over the last weeks or so, prompted by some mentoring activity for someone who is trying to settle into one discipline, but with a background in an allied, but different field. Such issues will not come as any of my readers from the Facilities Management sphere because many of them, like me, came into FM from other functions. Read more…
would you be a leader or a manager, and does it matter which you are?
I write a lot here on leadership issues; it features a lot in what I do and is something that has fascinated me for many years. This week I was reading in an on line forum where the difference between a manager and a leader was under debate.
That there is a difference between managing and leading I don’t think is at issue, but there is no reason for me why the same person can’t be both, and I would go further and suggest that many of the best leaders are also good managers. Read more…
is it unreasonable to be focused?
There was something on one of the internet forums last week about whether or not an “Unreasonable Leader” could succeed in Facilities Management. I did have a quick look, but had a lot on the go at the time and so didn’t follow up and read the post or its follow up comments. However, I would offer the observation that firstly yes they can (and do) and am living proof of the point. Read more…
let’s get rid of the unlimited liability clause
The purpose of contract documents is to set out in as an unambiguous manner as possible the intentions of the parties involved. Clarity should be of the essence, but so many contracts are drafted by lawyers these days are not only impenetrable as to their meaning, but also often contain clauses that make little practical sense. Read more…
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the Monday Musings column from that consultant bloke 