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ThatConsultantBloke’s Quick Guides
A few months back I recommended some text books to a group that I was helping with their professional development. They considered what I had suggested, but felt that they already had too many text books and what they really wanted was a quick guide that they could have in e-book format on their ‘phone or tablet. Read more…
customer service is an attitude of mind
I usually end up writing about customer service when I am over in the USA and this time I had barely arrived before a striking comparison between how things work in the US and the UK arose. Read more…
Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right
The quote is attributed to Henry Ford, a man who is both hero and villain depending on how you view him (or both from where I sit). And there you have not just one paradox, but two. Read more…
espionage. or is there another motive? holiday fun from Monday Musings
He was not in his usual car, instead driving a nondescript small MPV of uncertain age; too many people would recognise his usual wheels. The rain began again in earnest as he turned of the motorway. He flicked the windscreen wipers on to full speed as he climbed up the ramp to the roundabout and took the A road . Ahead of him the high hills were lost in the curtain of rain as he sought out a lay-by and pulled off the road, carefully checking the vehicles that passed him before he moved on again. Read more…
more on myths and panacea solutions
Last week I gave my thoughts on the myths around centralised procurement. I picked that activity just because it had been in the media in the preceding days, but it was just one example of panacea solutions. Read more…
the obscure art of decision making
This week I wrote about planning; you can read that soon, but in doing so I covered the art of decision making and that is what this week’s Monday Musing is all about. You’ll know the old joke about “I used to be indecisive, but now I’m not sure”. Decision making is easy, so why do we make such a meal of it? Read more…
let’s stop using power words in CVs and bid documents
Last week I got involved in a cyber-debate about the overuse of power words, in this case about their use in CVs, but the principle applies more widely. I have two main issues with this abuse of language; firstly that much of it is transparently nonsense (and therefore untrue) and secondly that it wastes my time. Read more…
A Patient’s Progress – The Book
For those that remember my series of stories on life in hospital, the 20 or so stories that appeared here were a little under half of what I wrote during my stay, and I have pulled the whole work together in an eBook.
As with my previous book it is on Kindle to begin with, but I will start looking at the paperback options in a week or two. You can buy the Kindle edition here: A Patient’s Progress
My hospital sojourn interrupted the process of another book that was also almost ready for publication, and I want to resume work on that with the aim of having it on Kindle before Christmas, so watch this space.
2013 could see a number of publications from me depending on how other work goes; writing is a very time-consuming activity!
wardrobe malfunction! it’s back into the closet!
I really must stop writing these prophetic posts. This morning’s Monday Musing had barely hit cyberspace when my tea making activities were interrupted by an ominous rumble above me. The Berkshire Belle was then heard getting out of bed and that moment every Facilities Manager dreads was upon me, for the client’s voice was heard to call “we have a problem”. Read more…
getting facilities management out of the closet and into the mainstream
I am often asked what I miss most about no longer being an operational Facilities Manager, and I have a two part answer; on the up side I am glad I no longer have to put up with sitting at interminable meetings where the chair and many of the participants are ill prepared, but on the down side I miss making things happen. Read more…
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