New at the Helm

Last week I was at a work conference and there our new MD spoke about what he expected from his newly adopted team. He talked about wanting to win but didn’t do it like he wanted to beat the other guy. He talked about his desire to hit numbers but said it like it was something he does everyday. He asked us to tell him what we thought but asked us to write it on a postcard instead of the oft-ignored email.

I later found out that he was at the bar each of the three nights we were there getting to know members of the team. He finished at 2am each time and doubled-up the next day to start at 8:30. At the final dinner, he continued on his simple way to tell us what he stood for, simply and honestly.

He certainly has earned some respect this week and I can only hope not to let him down.

Always On

I was just taking stock the other day about how I spend the twenty-four hours in any given day. Much like any corporate employee, I have a combo phone/email device. I also have an iPhone for personal use. So, anyone can more or less contact me at any time. Like most connected citizens, I will probably respond to any ping, SMS, email or tweet as they come, whenever they come.

In the mornings, before leaving home, I check my mail (iPhone). During the walk to the station, iPod playing, I scour through the work device. On the train, it’s Twitter and blogging. In between meetings and, well, work, I flit between personal mail and Twitter (again) then topping off the commute home with more personal mail.

At home, after the family goes to bed, I cycle through blogs, email, Twitter and Facebook. It’s arduous and tiring to keep up with everything.

In such a hyper-connected society, am I missing out on real life and who I really am? Can this dedication to an online identity mean the detriment of my physical self?

Safe – for now

So, it was announced a couple of days ago that I’ve held on to my job. In fact, not only have I held on to my job but I’ve been promoted. Yet, I have the same pay and greater responsibility. I guess it’s better than the outside option.

It does mean that I need to learn more about our consumer tracking methodologies and that is scaring me. I now have the freedom to set my own path and without the handrails of a more hands-on manager, there is an element of fear there.

Onward into the great recession!

The Way Ahead

In light of last week’s announcements, is it time to think about outside options, especially in these troubled times?

I’ve never experienced extremely difficult financial times and pondering what I would do should the worst happen is a new to me. Perhaps it’s a reflection of our (meaning, societal) affluence that I’d never really thought through what it could mean – cutting back on costs, thinking more wisely about saving/investing for retirement, paying school fees for kids, and generally living on much, much less. All these fiscally responsible things are just so darn new that I feel somewhat unprepared. It’s not that I feel that I won’t cope but more that I didn’t seriously plan for it and that I neglected being true to myself.

Perhaps this isn’t just about me, but the general surprise that has beset us all.

Back from the holidays

Coming back from a month away and not much has changed. There’s the same tensions and the same need to mop up the mess made by others. This is along with clearing the 500 emails in my inbox.
With the looming job cuts to be made, people are also incredibly tense. It didn’t take long for the post-holiday lull to be blasted away.

More Miracles?

In the misogynistic, uncouth and Neanderthal world that is my work, it appears that there are glimmers of progress.

Yesterday, I found out that we had recently built a parent’s room – a quite place where little babies could be fed in peace. Two things here: (1) someone has considered that people are so busy that they may bring their kiddies to work; and (2) they’re happy to accommodate them.

As I say, miracles.