Weeknotes S01E01
Inspired by recent posts by Andy Callow, chats with Steve Messer and to be fair many others I’ve followed for years, plus also “money where your mouth is”… this is my first open weeknote. Eek. Andy’s note here made me chuckle as it was timely for several personal and professional reasons and was a metaphorical kick up the bottom for me. Great note, and research. Thank you. @jukesie says to add a fun picture… so here is my dog having a puppaccino this weekend. Some of you don’t know me so I’ll recap a few bits about what makes me tick in this first note which is as much as what I’m up to/thinking as it is open thoughts and thanks for others who do great things.
Why now
Over the years, I have spammed my teams and seniors with things: trends, people and opportunities which inspire me and directions I think I/we/team/org should take plus too the occasional dog picture. Most of the recipients humour me and politely engage. I also sometimes use this as an approach to “test” some, e.g. sending an interesting and relevant link to an individual to see if they a. get it b. engage with me on it c. build on it. Why? Over time its helped me place those in or around my (slightly mad sometimes I do appreciate) OODA loop, and then those in outwards rings of this… and where/how to place effort to adapt my approaches with them to best land impact. One memorable experience however was a line manager who said in response “they were too busy to read.” Hmmm. There was a separate box I placed that individual in in my head!
So why now.. well, I’ve just finished my latest assignment (more of that later), so I had a few more hrs in my day to play around on “how”. Also my assignment, and other things this week/this month/in my core has all centered around sharing. Networking, supporting others, building on things shaped by others and creating new value. My phrase I’ve used for eons is “build once, use many.” This does not just apply to products, services and technology but for ways of working, processes and to enable teamwork, so of course I should be openly sharing, not just behind a fence.
How I’ve structured these for my ordering is as follows.. feedback welcome (be kind-I know you will be!)
What am I doing
I’ve been ‘off’ this week. Off from full on meetings but actually due to COVID impacting teams (health and caring responsibilities) and also needing input to central activity plus a few other exciting but busy things, I’ve been around, supporting teams. I’ve been finishing up a paper for my DBA (Doctorate in Business Administration) so was “online” anyway. The DBA is on Sustaining Digital Skills to further UK prosperity with a strong focus on digital inclusion.
I’m thinking.. a lot.. about my team, organisation, the future, taking stuff forward-smartly, with pace, with input, with others, and most importantly for others. Lots going on at the moment, lots of opportunity, and I’m hoping that writing these will help co-create on some of the big things coming up across the Digital, Data and Technology space. Also to order the importance of that “stuff”. I love wicked problems, always have loved fixing things inc. tech debt whilst building and working on things that matter. These include emotive roadmaps and products which delight and reduce friction, bringing others on the journey alongside perhaps with more productivity focussed roadmaps (technical or otherwise) which underpin and make things better but often are unsung things. These though are critical enablers to emotive roadmaps, moving with pace when needed and “shiny toys”. (aka my term for those more sexy concepts which create PR.) Plus also to avoid a top comic of mine.
What I am thinking
I know it is hard for many people right now, but it was heartening and motivating watching the public support to digital inclusion highlighted this week by the Good Things Foundation and news channels. Something I’ve been close to, practically and emotionally and thank you to all who sponsored be back in May last yr to raise £7K for tech and dongles for ATLEU, a charity supporting trafficked women which my sister works for.
I virtually cheered digital skills and inclusion also being published in Mission 4 as part of the ambitions and plans for a new Welsh Government Digital Strategy . Specifically as part of this: Digital Confidence: a phrase I’ve used over the years and with some of those in the links above to go a step further than: technology, networks, skills. Yes, these are all enablers but just like any Digital, Data or Technology capability: it means nothing without the user, the human in the loop. Motivation, motive, emotive needs and wants to use digital. Confidence is crucial to this and to close the digital divide, step change social mobility and set up users for success… how.. do.. we.. do.. this.. (answers on a postcard and I’ll cite you in my DBA :)!) Honestly, let’s continue the dialogue on this, there is no magic bullet but community passions and local support, government, industry and education enablers will all make up the ecosystem to get there. I read (alot) as I don’t have all the answers (across work and play!) and love to continually learn. Whilst exposing the issues are great, this just another recent article and research, let’s together focus future research and constructively dialogue on the “how” to build on the “why” and “what.” I realise I’ve not added to the conversation here with any magic solutions but again, more to come.
What am I reading/inspired by
I’ve included some links above and frankly, I realise this is FARRRRRR too long already so for brevity..I’m inspired by those around me, my network (physical and virtual). As mentioned, I value always learning, adapting my thinking and both sharing and helping to find solutions. This week has been about getting lost in reading for my studies. So I’ll use this section as a specific shout out to for my teams-they inspire me. Those who I know have worked throughout Christmas/New Year at all hours and who just get things done. I thought Peak (a Retail term) was behind me after the last 4 yrs of ensuring there was tea and biscuits ready for customers but I relished being able to support teams on chat at 1am on New Year’s Day or other odd hours and am proud that my role is to visibly support and champion their great work for NHS Trusts, payment systems, “things” which enable effective, secure and ethical data sharing.. and much much more. I wish I could send pizza/carrot cake (my mum’s recipe) but I send pride and my thanks.
