Bad Social Science

This is not a "thought piece". This is catharsis. I studied social science research methods at University. When I went to University, it was in the very earliest days of the World Wide Web (actual quote from Information Systems lecturer: "I don't think it will be as successful as WAIS or Gopher"). Back in those … Continue reading Bad Social Science

Weeknote 675 – building blocks

This week I have learned: the satisfaction and relief when you get a client from "prospect" to signed up and in contract. Mostly it's the relief from worrying if it'll all get pulled at the last minute for some reason. how nice it is to catch up with long-lost colleagues. Fraser, it was a delight … Continue reading Weeknote 675 – building blocks

155th of 100

Friday's coffee companion is an operations specialist. We talked about... the challenges of running events how the events industry is (or isn't) adapting to the post-covid reality watch parties finding one's niche being the only grown-up in the room implementing processes in a world where processes are seen as the antithesis of how things are … Continue reading 155th of 100

Weeknote 674: four day week

This week I have learned: how resistant most of us are to admitting we are getting older. I'm probably as guilty as anyone. It's fine. And life is probably better if one can be open to the idea. how much fun it is to go from idea to a manifestation of an idea in super-quick … Continue reading Weeknote 674: four day week

Weeknote 673: on product

This week I have learned: about products. The usability of a product isn't simply down to its design. It's also down to the user's expectation of what that product is. So if I come to a car thinking it's a horse, I'll be disappointed, no matter how well-designed it is.It's all well and good "reconceptualising" … Continue reading Weeknote 673: on product

154th of 100

Yesterday's coffee companion is a Product Manager. We talked about: finishing up roles and starting new ones the strange way that procurement works (or doesn't) distance learning and its long traditions how being an early pioneer in a field can become a liability in the long term how inward Product Management can become the differences … Continue reading 154th of 100

153rd of 100

Yesterday's coffee companion has had many careers. We talked about: being back in Teddington cycling the perils of being a leaseholder how social housing associations really aren't geared for dealing with private leaseholders how cock-up usually triumphs over conspiracy building a side-business repositioning a product to a new audience the joys of double-entry book-keeping the … Continue reading 153rd of 100

152nd of 100

Yesterday's coffee companion is a designer. We talked about: how our respective weeks had been my excitement about one of the pieces of work I'm currently pitching for the process of pitching, and how the best consultants get paid to respectfully work with their clients to help them understand why what they first asked for … Continue reading 152nd of 100

151st of 100

Tuesday's coffee companion is a colleague from our South African business. We talked about: travelling for work the importance of finding space for conversations building Global teams being clear in our propositions to our clients how some of our colleagues are getting on the importance of networks #100Coffees is an ongoing experiment in being intentionally … Continue reading 151st of 100

Weeknote 672: out and about

This week I have learned: after a week completely based at home, three days in London, two of which were at an off-site with dozens of colleagues, came as a bit of a cognitive shock. Lovely to see everyone, though! a couple of people dropped me a line yesterday to say that introductions I had … Continue reading Weeknote 672: out and about