I've been thinking lately about how we're rather good at solving problems, but surprisingly bad at identifying what the problems actually are. Take the double diamond process that every design consultant worth their salt will draw on a whiteboard: diverge to explore numerous solutions, converge to select the best one, diverge again to prototype, and … Continue reading The problem with problems
Category: Themes
(An experiment in stakeholder management, creativity and vibe coding) Some months ago, I came into the possession of a bag of 10 small rubber ducks. The reasons why are on a need-to-know basis, and you probably don't need to know. I thought about turning them into art. Originally, I was going to glue them to … Continue reading Ducks in a Row
This week I have learned: never assume that people are managing up, out or around. Stakeholder management needs to be intentional at all times. factor in a few iterations if you are delivering a report. Hopefully before the end of the initiative. in a strange course of events, Random the Book has a new format. … Continue reading Weeknote 724 – and then there were none
This year, as with most years, I've been busy on my Kindle. Here are some of my reading highlights from the past 12 months (books not necessarily from 2024, but purchased and read this year). Fake Heroes: Ten False Icons and How they Altered the Course of History Otto English This is a great book, … Continue reading 2024 Bookshelf
I ran a workshop this week for colleagues from across our consulting organisation. I wanted to find a way to allow people to explore an idea without being too constrained by their own views. I also wanted people to identify tangible actions that they could take away and do.The theme for this workshop was improving … Continue reading Multiple Perspective Futures – a workshop tool
On Wednesday, I was part of a team that ran an evening workshop for our emerging executive community in Benelux. We had around 20 CxOs come together to connect, share ideas and build relationships. Our European business unit lead, Simon Bostock, asked me to help create a workshop that would allow people to engage, "work" … Continue reading Field notes: Humans v AI
This week I have learned: that starting with a new client is a relief after a long period of thinking about how we might start working with a new client. Prep is important, but it's easy to over-extrapolate. I've had a week of pretty much not thinking about next week's presentation. It's embedded in the … Continue reading Weeknote 704: Starting
I'll be turning 54 next month. I know, I barely look a day over 52. In my brain, however, I'm still waiting for the morning I wake up and feel like a grown-up. But despite my increasing years and abandoned hairline, I can't really remember a time in my life when I wasn't surrounded by … Continue reading The 4Cs of Computing
This post comes from a chance conversation I had last week with my esteemed colleague David Hamilton... For a software product to be successful, three things need to be in alignment - it needs to be: valuable usable sellable Plenty of otherwise great products (or great ideas that haven't actually translated into successful products) have … Continue reading 3 facets of a successful product
This week I have learned: how nice it is to catch up with my podcast co-founder, Chris. We spent some great time together at the Richmond Events CDO Forum on Monday and Tuesday, and ran a podcasting workshop for delegates on Tuesday too. If you are looking for shits and giggles, rock up to a … Continue reading Weeknote 698: Eventing
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