61st of 100

The second of my coffee companions today helps organisations become more (little 'a') agile. We talked about: how the Elizabeth Line's changing of my mental model of London resulted in me being quite early the way in which new technologies often get introduced in remarkably sub-optimal ways and how it takes time for the world … Continue reading 61st of 100

60th of 100

Today's first coffee companion works in the world of developing people's talents. We talked about: The way in which the Elizabeth Line disrupts our mental models of London. Taking big ideas to the board of a company and getting their approval. The long shakeout ahead for how organisations will expect people to work The need … Continue reading 60th of 100

59th of 100

Today's coffee companion is a former colleague from my days at the BBC. We talked about: how my current job is going how the PlayCards are going how different environments aid memory of conversations North Kensington and the North Pole Pub the remaining reasons why people might be digital refuseniks how to encourage people to … Continue reading 59th of 100

58th of 100

Today's coffee companion is a technologist who works in government. We talked about Why multitasking in humans is a myth, and how single tasking increases your productivity The tendency for any generation to use the prevailing technology of the time as a metaphor for how humans work How still most computers don't actually multi-task, they … Continue reading 58th of 100

57th of 100

Today's coffee companion is an HR consultant. We talked about: The emerging crisis in veterinary care Introducing hierarchy-less structures into professional settings How the exercise of reducing everything to one of three colours sounds like an incredible piece of conceptual art. Yet that's RAG reporting... The importance of cake and exercise The opportunities when technical … Continue reading 57th of 100

Weeknote 629: Fish

This week I have learned: of the death of Pat Fish, who was The Jazz Butcher. They were a band that I loved in my teens. Every time I wait for a bus at Waterloo Station I'm reminded of the album Fischoteque. One of their songs popped up on Spotify a few days ago, and … Continue reading Weeknote 629: Fish

Weeknote 628 – short measures

This week I have learned: in one of my #100Coffees conversations a few weeks ago, we talked about my companion's theory that the 70-odd days in the UK between New Year's Day and Easter are the only time any work ever really gets done. The days are short, people are feeling the effects of over-indulgence … Continue reading Weeknote 628 – short measures

56th of 100

Today's coffee companion works with his clients to use behavioural science to improve risk and compliance management. We talked about: being a business at a size where running through procurement and proposal processes simply isn't viable. the madness of big corporations. how problems with process are often symbolic of deeper issues. my theory of how … Continue reading 56th of 100

Weeknote 627: egg break

This week I have learned: Sometimes the harder conversations come from people you don’t know. I had a fascinating conversation with a stage magician this week to talk about the PlayCards. He made me think really hard about the concept because he came from a very different frame of reference. Public holidays provide a strange … Continue reading Weeknote 627: egg break

54th and 55th of 100

Yesterday's first coffee companion runs a business involved in managing waste more effectively. We talked about: the importance of finding space to meet with people without agenda the process of "divorcing" from a business partner shifting from being a software business to a professional services business the pressure of tech investment (and how the business … Continue reading 54th and 55th of 100